Being a Tech Exec Mentoring Pages

Importance of a 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.

You might be familiar with the phrase, “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” This suggests that sometimes being too focused on the details prevents you from seeing the bigger picture.

“You can’t see the forest for the trees.” – John Heywood from his proverbs collection, 1546

Many tech executives focus on project details, missing the big picture and overlooking risks with their narrow viewpoint. This often happens because they focus intensely on specific technical issues or immediate challenges, neglecting the larger strategic picture. It is crucial to maintain an open mind and ensure a comprehensive view of all aspects of the business. A diverse team’s value lies in providing insights and perspectives beyond your own, offering fresh angles on problems or opportunities. Yet, it’s crucial to stay open to their ideas, creating an environment where team members feel empowered to share their thoughts and expertise.

Think of a hidden tiger in the woods: focusing too much on one thing could make you miss nearby dangers.

Stepping back gives you a bigger picture view to spot risks or opportunities that may not be obvious upfront. This ability to see the bigger picture is vital for effective risk management and strategic planning.

As a technology executive, recognizing these risks and opportunities requires taking a step back periodically. While focusing on details is crucial for specific tasks, it’s equally vital to take a broader view to ensure you’re prioritizing the right ones. This bigger picture view helps you evaluate, prioritize, and allocate resources more effectively, improving decision-making and business results. Balancing detail with the bigger picture is crucial for successful tech leadership in today’s fast-evolving world.

Moreover, keeping an open mind and welcoming diverse perspectives can also lead to innovation and creativity within the team. Different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking can bring a fresh approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Promoting inclusivity and diversity benefits the business and fosters a dynamic, engaging work environment for all.

Besides fostering team diversity, it’s crucial to stay updated on industry trends beyond your expertise area. This allows you to anticipate potential disruptors or shifts in the market that could impact your business. Stay updated on new tech and industry trends to adapt strategies proactively instead of reacting last minute.

In conclusion, for technology executives, keeping an open mind and stepping back to see the bigger picture is vital for effective risk management, strategic planning, and fostering innovation. Embrace team diversity and stay updated on industry trends to stay ahead and make informed decisions for business success. So always remember, don’t get lost in the weeds, but also don’t overlook the hidden tigers in the woods. Keep a balanced perspective and embrace diverse viewpoints for continued growth and success in the ever-changing landscape of technology.

Click here for a post on avoiding unconscious bias as a tech executive.

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.

In addition to networking, it is essential to continuously upskill and stay updated on industry trends.

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.

Managing a Micromanager

As you progress in your journey as a tech exec, you will encounter a diverse range of individuals and interact with various personalities. Amongst them, the most vexing leader to work with is undoubtedly the micromanager. Learning how to manage a micromanager can make your life much easier.

This person needs to be in control and wants to know everything you are doing. This is painful because you really need to be on your toes. There is a lot of extra work with a leader who is a micromanager because they constantly want to know what you are working on and want to provide lots of input.

Managing the micromanager

If you’re new and unfamiliar to the micromanager, it takes time to establish comfort. Follow their instructions, stay patient, and they’ll value your ability to comply. Eventually, most micromanagers become more lenient, but trust takes time. The trick is to gain trust swiftly. Here’s what you can do:

Regular updates – frequent status reports will help your manager feel good about your activities.
Face to face meetings – the more your manager sees you, the more comfortable they are that you are focusing on work.
Frank conversations – Although this might be uncomfortable, talk to your manager about giving you more space. Explain that you feel good about where you are with your work, and that you feel like you can be independent.

Micromanagers often display signs of insecurity and tend to have nervous personalities. Building a connection and understanding their interests can help foster a positive relationship. Take advantage of opportunities to discuss topics like family, activities, and sports to create common ground.

Building a connection based on shared experiences, such as attending the same university, can help foster a sense of comfort and trust. This, in turn, allows for more flexibility and understanding in your interactions. However, it’s important to remember that cultivating such connections requires patience and investment of time.

Patience is tough

Your manager may frustrate you, but patience and controlling your temper is key. Showing anger or impatience with a micromanager won’t help. Consistently updating your manager and demonstrating success will eventually lead to the freedom you desire. Stay guarded until your manager becomes comfortable with you.

In summary, remain composed, even in situations where your manager scrutinizes your work, seemingly due to a lack of trust. It’s not solely about trust, but rather a matter of control. Dealing with such personalities can be challenging, but rest assured, you will gain valuable insights from these experiences.

Click here for a post on how a tech exec matches personalities to relate to their counterpart.

Leverage Your Strength – a lesson from history

In May 1940, the German army swiftly invaded France, leading to the astonishing defeat of the Battle for France. This unprecedented downfall stunned Europe, especially considering France’s prior reputation as a formidable Western nation. A tech exec can learn from this lesson in history.

Germany didn’t solely triumph with might; even though the French had a bigger, technologically advanced army and knew about the upcoming German invasion, they should have been prepared to repel the invaders effortlessly.

How did it happen?

The lack of trust and effective communication among French politicians and generals was exacerbated by their stagnation in the past. In 1914, France faced a challenging scenario when German forces overwhelmed them. However, their perseverance and strategic prowess proved decisive. The French tactically withdrew, synchronized their remaining armies, gathered crucial support from allies, and counterattacked. Teamwork made the Battle of the Marne pivotal for the allied forces in World War I.

Twenty-six years later the French were still using 1914 tactics against 1940’s technology.

Leverage your strength but update your strategy. The generals believed armor supported infantry from behind, underestimated planes as frontline weapons, relied on horses to outpace the enemy, and used motorcycle couriers instead of rapid communication. They also misplaced trust in misguided technology and overestimated Maginot Line defenses along the German border. The French generals, WWI veterans, failed to recognize technological advancements and clung to outdated strategies. General Gamelin, head of the French military, even lacked a telephone in his headquarters.

The French thought they knew the enemy.

The Germans effectively employed tanks, planes, troops, and weapons in innovative ways. Tanks, bombers, and infantry quickly penetrated, catching the French off guard. The German generals swiftly adapted their tactics using telephone and telegraph. Unfortunately, France failed to grasp the technological possibilities, leading to their complete defeat within 10 days. Unthinkable, but it happened.

A lesson for companies.

Silos in a company are a natural result of its structure, but they must not impede collective power and success. A tech exec should aim for a unified approach to operations, with shared standards across the leadership team. Keeping up with tech advancements and leveraging them before competitors is crucial. Embrace cross-team collaboration and resource sharing to enhance experience and boost versatility.

Organizations that stick in a ridged silo model and do not collaborate will lose to their competitors.

Leverage your strength and avoid having your teams move in different directions, as it weakens a united force. To effectively leverage your combined organization, do the following:

Have a common mission and set of objectives agreed to by all leaders.
Ensure roles and responsibilities between teams are well defined and understood.
Communicate the operating models for each team to all stakeholders, which will help minimize a silo mentality.
Better coordinate work going between teams ensure linkages are understood. This improves teamwork.
Ensure an effective leadership structure where leaders trust and are communicating with each other.
Have a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in our teams so individuals can be deployed appropriately.
Ensure that technology is understood and used effectively (to meet business needs) across all teams.

Don’t forget to empower your team! If you leverage your strength, the combined organization, you’ll be unstoppable… and you will have a much more cost-effective technology environment.

Click here for a post on how to empower and use the full strength of your team.

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.