Being a Tech Exec Mentoring Pages

Recognizing Employees with ADHD

Tech executives have another compelling reason to understand their employees better: ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder typically linked to children and young adults, can continue into adulthood. When an employee frequently struggles with task completion, punctuality, or presenting content, they might be contending with ADHD. Recognizing employees with ADHD, you can provide support and devise a plan to foster their success.

ADHD impairs executive function and self-regulation skills.

It’s a common affliction but having it doesn’t mean an employee can’t excel. Recognition and a supportive environment are crucial for success. Employees may be unaware they have the disorder, but signs like difficulty concentrating, staying organized, and managing time are noticeable. It affects work and personal life.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 8% of adults in the workforce. It is characterized by symptoms such as difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

In the workplace, employees with ADHD may struggle to stay focused on tasks or projects, leading to decreased productivity and potentially poor performance. However, it’s important for employers to understand that this is not due to laziness or lack of effort on the employee’s part.

Why is this important for a tech exec to understand?

It was shown that many kids doing school virtually during the pandemic saw a significant drop in their GPA, even though these kids were top students. It was shown that many of these kids did not have peer stimulation, which helped them stay focused when they were live in school. Without the stimulation they could not pay attention and were easily distracted.

Now that the work world is in a hybrid environment, many employees still work virtually. Some tech execs want to bring people back to the office due to observed drops in performance. Instead of immediate disciplinary actions, consider their past history with the company. If they were previously good workers, they may not be suitable for the virtual world. Bring them into the office to engage with others and enhance their performance.

We don’t want employees using ADHD as an excuse for poor performance.

But individuals with ADHD often have trouble regulating their attention and impulses, making it difficult for them to stay organized and on task. This can be exacerbated in a fast-paced work environment where there are multiple demands and distractions.

So how can employers support employees with ADHD?

The key is to provide accommodations and structure in the workplace. This could include setting clear expectations for tasks and deadlines, breaking down large projects into smaller manageable chunks, creating a quiet workspace or providing noise-cancelling headphones, and allowing for frequent breaks to help manage energy levels.

So, it’s important for employers to educate themselves and their staff on ADHD and its symptoms. This can help foster understanding and reduce stigma towards individuals with the disorder. Providing resources such as coaching or counseling services can also be beneficial in helping individuals with ADHD develop coping strategies and improve their overall performance.

Click here to learn more about ADHD from the Mayo Clinic.

Click here for a post on addressing poor executive function and root causes.

Coaching is a Key Tech Exec Skill

The accomplished tech executive participates in coaching and mentoring junior colleagues, imparting acquired skills. Establishing a thriving succession cultivates respect and a reputation as a seasoned technology leader. Technology advances rapidly, emphasizing the need for experienced leaders to mentor. Accomplished tech executives must excel in their roles and share expertise with newcomers.

Coaching is an essential aspect of career growth and development.

By mentoring, you shape the industry’s future by sharing your experience and insights. This not only benefits the individual mentee, but also contributes to the overall growth and success of the technology sector.

Besides coaching junior colleagues in your organization, it’s beneficial to share your expertise beyond your company. Engaging in industry events, speaking on panels, and writing articles help spread knowledge to a broader audience.

Increasing visibility for yourself and your company also enables networking with tech professionals and staying updated on the latest field developments. Active participation in the tech community establishes expertise and fuels growth and innovation.

Furthermore, mentorship can also be a mutually beneficial experience. As a mentor, you have the opportunity to learn from your mentees as well. Their fresh perspectives and unique insights can inspire new ideas and approaches, benefiting both career development and professional growth.

Coaching is a key tech exec skill to learn and embrace.

Some execs reach a stage in their career where they consider mentoring beneath them, but it should never be the case. Stay humble and maintain an open-door policy. Avoid intimidating your team; instead, be seen as someone who is eager to mentor and support their growth. Everyone strives for success, and your subordinates will respect you if you invest time in helping them.

Bottom line, really successful technology execs take the time to mentor and provide guidance to their teams. Ensuring your emerging leaders align with your thinking and operations helps build a strong, empowered leadership team. Coaching is a key tech exec skill.

Click here to see a post on why budding tech execs should find a good coach.

Key Tech Executive Skills – Presentation and Communication

To excel and attract attention for a technical executive position, what skills can you refine as you advance in your career? Key among them are presentation and communication abilities. Observe that the most accomplished tech executives exude ease when addressing audiences on diverse subjects. They project confidence in conveying their message and remain composed even when faced with presentation hiccups.

Witnessing a tech exec confidently take the stage may seem impressive, yet their ease comes from years of refining their presentation skills through trial and error. It’s not ordinary to feel at ease speaking in front of a crowd; even seasoned speakers find it nerve-wracking. The scrutiny that comes from public speaking is something one never fully adapts to. Nevertheless, with practice, one becomes more adept at conveying messages effectively, regardless of their nature.

As you progress in your career, seize every opportunity to showcase and enhance your abilities. Though it may feel daunting, early on, you have room to make mistakes without severe judgment. Receiving leadership feedback on areas for improvement is invaluable for your growth. The more you engage in presentations and refine your communication skills, the more proficient you will become.

Utilize internal company training programs or consider organizations like Toastmasters, known for enhancing presentation skills. Additionally, consider refining your presentation style. Mastering the art of crafting a compelling script that effectively conveys a message is a challenging yet valuable skill to acquire. While delivering a PowerPoint presentation competently is beneficial, the ability to pinpoint key messages and captivate your audience is an intricate skill that requires dedication. Those who excel in this skill will achieve significant success.

Click here on more about developing tech executive leadership skills.

What is a Tech Exec

We’ve explored the realm of being a tech exec, yet let’s delve into defining the position and its allure. While it may exude a sense of glamour, grasping the nuances of authority and duties is crucial as they differ depending on the organization, industry, and business model.

The titles are diverse: Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Architect, Chief Transformation Officer, Managing Director, SVP/ VP of Technology, and more. To understand the responsibilities of these roles, refer to the job description. Each company’s technology needs differ, so you won’t find a common JD.

CIO is the top tech exec of most organizations and reports to the CEO, CFO, COO, or Chief Transformation Officer. Reporting structure usually depends on company size and the presence of strict IT controls – where IT would report to the CFO.

Ideally, the CIO would have a strategic role reporting to or influencing policy makers within the organization.

In today’s technology-driven world, forward-thinking organizations seek CIOs with a broad technical background, capable of collaborating with and influencing the business. Most CIOs are not experts in a specific technology area but hire specialists. The ideal CIO is open-minded and skilled at identifying the right people and technologies for an organization’s business and tech strategy.

A CIO needs strong IT operations experience to effectively reduce costs, collaborate with business constituents, and implement strategic plans. Keeping ego in check is also crucial for leading the charge in championing the business.

As a modern leader, the CIO must excel in marketing IT achievements and demonstrating how it drives business goals.

Establishing a reputation for customer service excellence, success, and transformative change will position IT as a leader. Business teams are gaining control over solution enablement through platforms like low code no code. This allows them to build their own applications without the help of IT. However, this does not diminish the importance and value of IT in driving innovation and efficiency.

In today’s digital age, technology is the backbone of any successful business. As a CIO, it is crucial to understand that your role goes beyond just managing and maintaining the company’s technical infrastructure. In fact, one of the key responsibilities of a CIO is to effectively communicate how IT initiatives contribute to the overall success of the organization.

Marketing your IT achievements means showcasing how technology solutions have been implemented to drive business goals. This could include streamlining processes, improving customer service, or increasing productivity. By highlighting these accomplishments, you are not only demonstrating your department’s value but also positioning yourself as a strategic leader in the company.

Businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on technology for their operations and growth. This means that CIOs must stay ahead of the curve, constantly exploring new solutions and innovations to keep the company competitive.

But it’s not just about implementing new technology – it’s also about effectively managing existing systems and resources.

As a CIO, you must prioritize projects based on business needs and allocate resources accordingly. This requires strong communication skills to negotiate budgets and timelines with other departments.

Furthermore, as technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it is important for CIOs to stay updated on industry trends and advancements. This allows them to anticipate potential challenges and proactively find solutions before they arise.

In conclusion, being a successful CIO requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills. By staying ahead of the curve and constantly exploring new solutions, you can ensure that your company remains competitive in today’s ever-changing market.

Click here for a post on the expectations of a CIO.

Working with Business Leaders

Technology executives and business analysts must prioritize closely working with business leaders and their teams. As the business team’s tech acumen has advanced, particularly with cloud technology, the tech team must continuously enhance their skills. Demonstrating the value of technology interactions to the business is essential.

For tech professionals, earning the trust and respect of business colleagues is crucial. Engage them early in the requirements process for any solution development. Avoid assuming you fully understand business needs when creating or implementing a tech solution.

Often, the technology team leads the process and involves the business later, leaving them feeling excluded and wondering, “Why weren’t we involved earlier?” Regardless of expertise, gaining consensus and buy-in is vital for designing solutions that truly meet business needs. Early inclusion of the business team ensures this buy-in.

In Agile design, “shifting left” means involving the business leaders earlier in the development process.

This collaborative approach is increasingly common and necessary. With the rise of no-code and low-code solutions, end-users may even develop their own applications. Keeping the business engaged and delivering value is critical.

There’s no room for ego. Business leaders encourage tech executives to step down from their ivory towers—sooner rather than later. Tech leaders must stay well-informed and understand the business’s daily operations, rather than relying solely on technical knowledge. This understanding builds trust and credibility with the business team.

Additionally, technology executives must continuously educate themselves about new technologies and their potential impact on the business. They should also have a solid understanding of the current technology landscape, including trends and emerging technologies. This knowledge allows them to make informed decisions that support the organization’s overall strategy and goals.

Collaboration between tech professionals and business leaders is not just limited to project development. It extends to ongoing maintenance and support of systems as well. Regular communication and collaboration ensure that any issues or updates are addressed promptly and effectively.

In addition, staying current on tech trends helps businesses outpace competitors and adapt swiftly to market changes. Tech pros and business leaders collaborating drive growth, efficiency, and success.

In conclusion, working with business leaders and collaboration between technology executives is essential in today’s fast-paced digital world. Through open communication, mutual respect, continuous learning, and a collaborative mindset, these two teams can work together towards achieving a common goal – leveraging technology to drive business success. Let’s continue to emphasize the importance of this collaboration and strive for a harmonious relationship between tech and business teams. So, we should always prioritize collaboration, communication, and continuous learning in order to succeed in this ever-changing technological landscape.

Click here to see a post on the future of collaboration technologies.