Handling Employees Archives

Blind Spots

As a tech exec, it is crucial to minimize blind spots in relation to your employees. Maintaining awareness of their performance and motivations can be challenging, especially when they are highly competent and motivated to please you. Avoiding blind spots requires careful attention and consideration.

What I’m talking about is that you rely on a person (or people) who really do a great job and get the work down for you. In your presence they are the most respectful and smartest person you’d ever meet. However, with peers this person is a complete jerk. He talks down to the people he works with, nobody wants to be on a team with him; however, no one will tell you about it because they see how much you like this person. You have promoted this high performer because you are pleased with the work, and this has sent the wrong message to the staff. More of your team start to act like this person thinking it’ll be the way to get ahead. But the person you have as your right-hand is really a cancer. They have totally tanked the moral of the team.

Be fair to your team members.

The key lesson is to cultivate an open mind and treat all members of your team with fairness. Strive for equality in assigning tasks, allowing opportunities for growth and development among everyone. While there will inevitably be standout individuals, take the time to know each team member and avoid overt favoritism. An ideal approach is to leverage the expertise of your top performers by appointing them as mentors, fostering a holistic and contented team dynamic. By embracing this mentoring mentality, you can create a more comprehensive and fulfilled team overall.

As a leader, it is important to maintain a certain level of professional distance from individuals within your team. Developing personal connections is valuable, but it is crucial to avoid the perception of favoritism, as it can disrupt team dynamics.

Employee Appreciation Day?

As a tech executive, it is important to recognize and appreciate the contributions of your employees every day. Interestingly, today happens to be the official holiday known as National Employee Appreciation Day. Take this opportunity to express gratitude to your hardworking team members!

I find it strange, but here’s the explanation from the website: “National Employee Appreciation Day“, on March 3, reminds leaders, including us technology executives, that strong employer-employee relations are at the core of any truly successful business. Having a great relationship with your employees is an important aspect of being a manager, and appreciating their efforts can go a long way towards making workers feel valued.

Take some time on National Employee Appreciation Day to connect with your employees, offer authentic praise, and listen to their experiences.

Do we really need to remind managers that they should have a relationship with their employees?

Reality is you are successful because of the people who work for you. The more you know about the people who work for you the better you can align them with what they do best. If your employees feel appreciated and feel that you have their best interests at heart, they’ll do great things for you and the company.

Every day should be Employee Appreciation Day… Talk to your team regularly and have an open and honest relationship.

Overwhelmed IT Professional

Your boss comes to you and says, “I need you to do this immediately, it’s a priority.” However, this is number 10 of the “priorities” that your boss has dropped on you in the past week.

Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to complete everything on time? Look on the bright side – maybe your boss is just giving you extra work because they value your skills. It might sound unlikely, but who knows? Regardless, you’ll still need to find a way to get everything done efficiently. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your workload.

Firstly, it’s important to prioritize your tasks. Make a list of everything that needs to be done and rank them in order of importance. This will help you focus on the most crucial tasks first and avoid wasting time on less urgent ones.

Next, try breaking down larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. This will make the workload seem less daunting and allow you to tackle each task one at a time without feeling overwhelmed.

Additionally, consider delegating some tasks if possible. If there are colleagues or team members who can assist with certain tasks, don’t hesitate to ask for their help. It’s important to recognize that you don’t have to do everything on your own.

Another helpful tip for staying organized and efficient is to utilize technology. There are many productivity apps and tools available that can help you manage your tasks, set reminders, and track your progress. Find the ones that work best for you and incorporate them into your daily routine.

It’s also crucial to take breaks throughout the day. Working nonstop can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Make sure to schedule in short breaks or even a lunch break to recharge and refocus.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to say no if necessary. If your workload becomes too overwhelming or if a task does not align with your priorities, it’s okay to push back – nicely – so that you help your boss understand that they have provided you with too many “priorities.” “Nicely” is the key word. Because you are stressed and overworked you can overreact to the request and snap at your boss. Never a good thing as it could make you look unprofessional.

But if you keep accepting these assignments your boss will assume that you can handle them and will most likely keep giving you more. Ouch. You certainly don’t want all this work impacting your work life balance, and especially your health.

In conclusion, to help overcome being an overwhelmed IT professional, time management is a vital skill. By setting goals, prioritizing tasks, utilizing technology, taking breaks, and learning to say no when needed, you can effectively manage your time and achieve success in both your personal and professional life. Remember to continuously review and adjust your methods as needed to find what works best for you. With practice and determination, you can become a master of your own time.

Click here to see a post on setting expectations as a new tech professional.

Treat Employees the Way You Want to be Treated

Numerous tech execs, as well as leaders in various domains, often possess a mindset that assumes respect from their subordinates solely based on their position of authority. However, it is crucial to question what actions or achievements have truly earned the leader’s respect. Merely holding a leadership role does not automatically warrant admiration.

It is essential to treat your employees with the same respect and consideration that you would expect for yourself.

Your employees lead fulfilling lives, with dreams and a strong desire to find meaning in their work. Rest assured, they are not seeking a boss they must constantly defer to in the office. We are all individuals who should treat each other with respect, regardless of our positions in the hierarchy.

Ensuring the well-being of your employees is a crucial element in effective team leadership.

As a leader, do you truly understand your team and their aspirations? It’s surprising how some leaders fail to connect with employees on a personal level. We all have basic desires and needs. People come to work to provide for themselves and loved ones. Treat employees the way you want to be treated. Some leaders demand constant gratitude for merely providing employment, hindering a positive work atmosphere. By treating others with empathy, the way you wish to be treated, and aiding in their success, your team can achieve remarkable feats.

And you as a leader will be successful in turn. Everyone wants to feel good about what they are doing.

I always say:

“Make sure you hire the best, align them with what they are good at, ensure they are happy with their work, and help them to achieve their goals.”
Tech2Exec

In summary, if you are doing these things, your employees will do amazing things for you. Always treat your employees the way you want to be treated.

Click here for a post on whether to emulate Steve Job’s leadership style or not.

Damar Hamlin (#3) – Be on a supportive team that uplifts and has your back.

On January 2, 2023, during a Week 17 Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Damar Hamlin, a player for the Buffalo Bills, experienced cardiac arrest on the field.

The NFL’s tremendous support for Damar and his family last weekend was truly remarkable. It’s crucial to ensure that your team reciprocates that same level of support. As a tech executive, it is imperative to foster an environment of unwavering support and camaraderie amongst your team members, regardless of the circumstances.

It’s important to have support of your organization, no matter what state you are in.

Update: After displaying signs of progress, Hamlin was moved to a hospital in Buffalo. Just nine days after the incident, he was to recover at home. With unwavering determination, Hamlin made a complete rebound and ultimately resumed his professional football career. His determination and drive to never give up even in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.

Hamlin’s story serves as a reminder that no matter what challenges we may face, perseverance and determination can lead us to success. This is especially true in the fast-paced world of technology, where innovation and resilience are key traits for success.

In today’s digital age, companies are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate. And with this rapid growth comes new challenges and obstacles.

But just like Hamlin, those working in tech must also possess unwavering determination to overcome these challenges. Whether it’s finding solutions to technical problems or adapting to changing market trends, a strong sense of perseverance is crucial.

Support Damar’s charity!

Click here for a post on the importance of innovation and adapting to change.