Category: Career Advancement

As a Tech Exec, Your Reputation Counts

Becoming a tech exec is the ultimate achievement after years of diligently crafting and enhancing your reputation. Your reputation holds significant value, serving as a cornerstone for your career and personal brand. Your reputation counts.

As an influential leader, you have the talent to foster teams, stay updated with technology, and collaborate seamlessly with peers and executives. Your dedicated efforts have built an esteemed reputation, but it’s crucial to recognize the potential consequences of a misstep that could jeopardize all you’ve achieved.

Being mindful of organizational circumstances is crucial.

In hierarchical companies, leaders closely monitor progress, resulting in less career impact. However, in flat organizations like the Big 4, changing teams or roles carries significant risks that can affect reputation.

Imagine this: You’re a tech executive in a leading Cyber Advisory team at a renowned Big 4 company. With a strong software engineering background, you excel in sales and delivering Cyber services. Now, you eagerly showcase your expertise to enhance software consulting. They show interest and smoothly transition you into the Consulting Cloud Engineering team.

Transitioning into consulting without a network can the new leadership team may not actively seek your involvement, making connections and obtaining work more difficult.

Facing a challenging situation, you take charge of a less glamorous assignment outside your expertise. With confidence, you step up. But the project quickly becomes unexpectedly complex as personalities clash. It turns out to be a disastrous first assignment in Consulting. While the client’s responsible Partner acknowledges it’s not your fault, the Consulting Partner who assigned you disagrees.

The Consulting leadership team doubts your capabilities due to your departure announcement. Consequently, they won’t assign you any projects, heightening your desperation to secure a critical one. Meeting your annual targets depends on it. The situation grows more dire.

At some point, you face a tough choice: leave or risk being forced out. It’s disheartening, especially without a support system. Despite your experience, the leadership prioritizes only immediate outcomes. If you had faced a similar situation in the Cyber team, you would have received the necessary support to overcome this setback and transition to your next success.

Exercise caution and exercise prudence in thoroughly assessing new assignments before taking the leap. While you may possess confidence in your abilities, the unexpected can always occur. Your reputation counts and you don’t want to damage it with a misstep.

Click here for a post on moving from a corporate position to consulting.

Have a Backup Plan in Times of Uncertainty

Everybody has a plan until you get punched in the face.

Mike Tyson

As a tech exec, it is crucial to have a backup plan and anticipate the unexpected. Despite careful planning, things often deviate from the desired course. In moments of adversity and deviation, how do you respond? How do you lead your team through challenges and keep them motivated?

One key to navigating uncertain situations is by having a strong understanding of the market and industry trends. This knowledge can help guide decision making and inform strategies for adapting to changing circumstances.

Additionally, it is important to foster a culture of agility within your organization. This means encouraging flexibility in processes and promoting a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. By being adaptable, your team will be better equipped to handle unexpected challenges, pivot when necessary, and stay ahead of competitors.

Another critical aspect of successful leadership during times of uncertainty is effective communication. Clear and transparent communication with your team about the situation at hand can help alleviate stress and build trust. It also allows for open discussions about potential solutions and encourages collaboration.

In addition to communication, it is crucial for leaders to prioritize empathy and emotional intelligence. During times of uncertainty, people may be experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and fear. As a leader, it is important to understand and acknowledge these emotions, while also providing support and reassurance.

And for yourself, anticipate the unforeseen and resist complacency.

Even during a smooth journey, having a backup plan in place is prudent. For instance, proactively nurturing your professional network can act as a safety net, heaven forbid you find yourself in need of new opportunities. Remember, preparedness is key.

Being prepared and having a backup plan is paramount. Complacency poses a significant threat to technology leaders and their success. Stay vigilant and proactive to stay ahead in the game.

Another way to navigate through uncertain times is by staying informed. This means keeping up to date with current events and industry trends, as well as seeking out advice from experts or mentors. By staying informed, you can make more informed decisions for your organization.

Finally, it is essential to maintain a positive mindset during times of uncertainty. While challenges may arise, it’s important to focus on the opportunities that can come from adapting and overcoming these obstacles. Encourage your team to stay positive and stay focused on the future, rather than dwelling on the present uncertainties.

Click here for a post on embracing uncertainty in the tech world.

Forest for the Trees

Many technology executives get so wrapped up in the details that they do not see the broader view of an issue, and hence, do not see the risks associate with their narrow point of view.

You’ve heard the saying: “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” It means that you are too close to something to see the bigger picture.

Many technology executives get so wrapped up in the details that they do not see the broader view of an issue, and hence, do not see the risks associate with their narrow point of view. It’s important to have an open mind and ensure that you are seeing everything. That’s why having a diverse team means a lot. They might have a better vista on an issue than you do. But you need to keep your mind open to their ideas as well.

Think on the tiger sitting in the woods. You might not see it if you were focusing someplace else. Looking around and getting a broad perspective allows you to see the risks staring you in the face.

As a technology executive, you won’t see these risks unless you step back. Obviously, detail is good. But you need to take a broad look to ensure you are focusing on the correct detail. Stepping back allows you to assess and prioritize your focus.

Building Your Network in Tough Times

I had the privilege of addressing a group of tech professionals, including a senior executive recently affected by a layoff. They were actively building their network. These individuals, feeling frustrated and confused despite being strong performers, found themselves singled out due to strategic decisions by their companies. Factors such as team restructuring, discontinuing underperforming products, or identifying lower-performing employees often dictate such decisions. Unfortunately, this group fell into the bottom 10-15% targeted for downsizing.

Job security remains a constant concern when working for others, as the threat of a layoff can emerge unexpectedly.

To navigate these disheartening and stressful situations, tech professionals should unite and collaborate. Launching successful projects can provide protection and the freedom of self-employment. Leverage your technical skills to start a blog, earn affiliate income, and undertake consulting projects. By sharing resources, you can mitigate the risks associated with working solo.

Often, meeting a group of like-minded individuals facing common challenges sparks creativity. It also allows for the exploration of new ideas and concepts that may not have been considered otherwise. Collaborating with others can lead to the discovery of new opportunities and potential partnerships, providing a sense of security and stability in an ever-changing industry.

Furthermore, building a strong network within the tech community can provide valuable connections for job opportunities or potential clients. By staying connected with other professionals, you increase your chances of finding future employment or securing freelance projects.

This will not only make you more marketable but also ensure that you are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the fast-paced tech world. Attending conferences, workshops, and online courses can help you stay current and relevant in the industry.

While job security may seem elusive in the tech industry, it is crucial to remember that there are always opportunities available for those who are willing to adapt and innovate. By staying connected, collaborating with others, and continuously learning, tech professionals can overcome challenges and thrive in their careers.

In conclusion, don’t let a layoff or uncertain job market discourage you – instead, use it as an opportunity to connect with others and building your network. After all, the tech community is all about innovation and resilience. Therefore, by working together and supporting one another during difficult times, we can create a stronger and more secure tech industry for everyone.

Click here to see a post on why how you layoff matters.

Layoffs

You may have noticed that tech companies are experiencing layoffs. And tech exec are not immune. But there are things you can do to help insulate yourself. But there are no guarantees… unfortunately.

Why are layoffs happening now?

During Covid, traditional service businesses faced layoffs, while tech companies thrived and supported the adoption of hybrid working models. The shift in work dynamics due to Covid benefited software and consulting companies that offered remote working solutions. As businesses normalize, tech companies reduce staff to cut costs. Economic uncertainty affects purchasing decisions, especially for commodity software providers, consulting organizations involved in software installation and customization, and technology services.

So, with all this happening, how do you avoid (or attempt to avoid) a layoff?

Unfortunately, no one is immune or indispensable. Consulting companies often have an overstock of benchwarmers who become dispensable during slow periods and are usually the first to be let go. In companies facing reduced purchasing, layoffs generally impact higher-ranking leaders due to the bigger cost-effectiveness of staff reduction. As a leader, one must never be complacent, particularly during economic downturns. Here are some actions to help avoid layoffs:

  • If you tend to be a disagreeable sort of person who is no fun to work with, you need to try to change impressions quickly. Not easy to do if you’ve been branded. But these types of people are some of the first to go.

  • Work on your messaging (marketing) as this is all about how great you are and the value you provide to the organization. Make sure your immediate boss recognizes your value (and agrees with you).

  • Keep your boss updated – I’d do it weekly – with what you are doing and how people feel about you. If you can reference good deeds and have someone vouch for you, all the better. If a client – say a business leader – says you are indispensable, then you will have a better shot at staying around.

  • Make sure your peers like you and enjoy working with you (and say good things about you). Back to point number one: if you are not a well-liked person, this is an opportunity for your leadership to move you out.

  • If you are working on what you would consider important project/s, make sure that your boss understands the value that the effort is bringing to the company. If you have the opportunity to move onto a value-added project, this is a good time to push for a move.

In these uncertain and stressful times, stay prepared. Keep an updated resume and reach out to executive recruiters who can assist with job opportunities. Many companies are currently hiring, so utilize LinkedIn to connect with recruiters.

I had a conversation with some technology professionals who had been laid off. See more at this post.

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