Being a Tech Exec Mentoring Pages

Taking Risks as a Tech Exec

“All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible) but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.“
Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Risk: Every individual encounters daily risks, particularly when veering away from the comfort of routine. Evaluating the repercussions entails a crucial assessment of your strengths and vulnerabilities. As a tech exec, you will inevitably face challenging circumstances where your experience becomes indispensable in navigating tumultuous waters. Capitalizing on the wisdom of a mentor can significantly enhance your risk management capabilities. When a leader requests your trust and urges you to embrace a risky situation, even if it lies outside your comfort zone, have faith in their judgment. They have chosen you for your immense potential.

Here are a few key points to consider in order to overcome risks:

Acclimatize to the new environment:

Before diving into new situations, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the environment and the people. Build relationships regardless of their roles and seek to understand processes, best practices, and leverage others’ experiences for success.

Be comfortable in your shoes:

For success, be confident in your decisions. Recognize the empowerment to make choices you believe in. The support of your leadership and team fosters confidence in making tough calls.

Overcome risks by experience and support of your mentor:

Smart decision makers value and harness the wisdom of experienced individuals. Trust in supportive leadership reduces fear of taking risks.

Be fearless and prepared for the unknown:

Every risk carries smaller unknown risks. Fear of repercussions hinders exploring all available options, resulting in self-imposed limitations and narrow operations.

Taking risks are an inherent part of our daily lives, some we choose to take consciously, while others happen unbeknownst to us. Embrace career risks and watch yourself soar to new heights with smart choices and the right support network. By stepping outside your comfort zone and taking calculated chances, you open the door to new opportunities and personal growth. Progress and success await those willing to take the leap!

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Avoiding Unconscious Bias as a Tech Exec

Unconscious bias is when a person unknowingly makes judgements based on their unconscious mind. A tech exec needs to understand and avoid making decisions based on unconscious bias.

Often, individuals are unaware of their own biases, which often stem from their upbringing. For instance, a parent may frequently express disdain for a particular race or creed in the privacy of their home, with their impressionable child as an audience. These encounters leave a lasting impact on the person’s psyche.

Human nature plays a role in our inclination to gravitate towards those who resemble us. In the realm of business, however, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not everyone shares our similarities. Consequently, surrounding ourselves solely with individuals who mirror our own traits can inadvertently reflect a bias, excluding others in the process.

Be aware that your leaders may have these biases and work to help yourself avoid being impacted.

Allow me to provide an illustration of being ensnared by bias:

You are on a team where everyone is a football lover. They talk about it every day, and the manager has started a fantasy football league.
You are not a fan and don’t participate in the discussions about the league. So, you are kind of on the outside.
The team manager establishes a strong bond with each member, sharing their love for football and regularly enjoying lunch together. Although you are not usually included, the camaraderie among them is evident.
Due to the manager’s substantial interactions with individuals who share a common interest, which often intertwines work discussions and football banter, he also entrusts the most captivating tasks to these individuals.
You are assigned mostly admirative tasks.
You articulate your dissatisfaction with the job to your counselor, pondering whether this organization might not be the ideal fit for you.
Your counselor, as expected, communicates with the manager to inform them about your concern. The manager, however, expresses their own concern that you haven’t directly addressed the issue with them. Furthermore, they mention to your counselor that you appear to be disconnected from the team and lacking motivation.
Because of the “football connection” you have not felt overly comfortable confiding in the manager.
Naturally, with the administrative work, and the lack of connection with your manager you are down. Mentally this is just not what you want to be doing.
The annual appraisals have commenced, and the feedback from your manager and counselor to the management team has been less than satisfactory. Despite your anticipation for a promotion this year, unfortunately, it will not be happening.

Unconscious bias affected your progress, but it’s not your fault for not getting promoted. Your manager favored individuals with similar qualities, lacking inclusivity. Hopefully, your company educates leaders about unconscious bias; but often, they don’t. If not, you’ll need to navigate this situation independently.

It’s tough, but don’t let isolation hold you back. Share your concerns with your manager about feeling excluded and request tasks that promote your growth in the company.

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Importance of Understanding Corporate Culture

To successfully market your services as a tech executive, whether as an internal employee or an external consultant, it’s vital to understand your client’s corporate culture. This strategy enhances your capacity to close deals and deliver services effectively, meeting client expectations while leaving a lasting, positive impression.

Understanding an organization’s culture demands effort, as it intricately connects with its leadership. By familiarizing yourself with the values and priorities of the leaders, you can begin to unravel the complex tapestry that defines a company’s culture. Culture embodies the values and beliefs shaping an organization’s operations and decision-making. It is influenced by leaders and influencers at all levels and reflected in the behaviors of individuals within the organization. Over time, leadership actions can solidify culture, creating an enduring legacy environment.

Assisting clients in navigating cultural change presents a golden opportunity to influence their journey in a meaningful way.

Active involvement is crucial in assimilating new beliefs and behaviors aligned with the organization’s vision. In larger matrix organizations, isolated teams can lead to a culture misaligned with the strategic direction.

Effective cultural change drives bottom-line results and fosters a fulfilling work environment. As a trusted advisor, you play a vital role in this transformative atmosphere.

Here are some strategies for achieving success in understanding corporate culture:

Embrace cultural diversity: In today’s globalized world, it is essential to understand and embrace cultural diversity within an organization. As a tech executive, you must be open-minded and adaptable to different cultures, creating a harmonious and inclusive work environment.
Collaborate with key stakeholders: Collaborating with organization leaders, influencers, and employees is crucial for grasping their values and priorities. Collaborate to gain insights into the company culture and align your services effectively with their needs.
Lead by example: As a tech executive, you’re not only an advisor but also a role model for the organization. Your actions should reflect the culture you are trying to cultivate, setting a positive example for others to follow.
Communicate effectively: Communication is key when it comes to cultural alignment. Communicate clearly and consistently with stakeholders to ensure everyone grasps the vision and purpose of cultural change.
Be open to feedback: Cultural change is continuous; being open to feedback from all levels in the organization is crucial. This will help you adapt your strategies and ensure that they align with the ever-evolving culture of the company.

By implementing these strategies, you can establish yourself as a valuable partner in shaping and promoting a positive corporate culture. Your understanding of cultural dynamics and technical skills will set you apart as a tech executive who delivers results and fosters an inclusive work environment. As the saying goes, “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” so make sure to prioritize understanding and aligning with your clients’ culture in order to be successful in the tech industry. True success as a tech executive involves more than just technical skills; cultural savvy and adaptability are key.

Click here for a post on dealing with toxic leaders.

Difference Between Leading and Managing

Leading and managing are interchangeable and need to go together, yet they require very different skills.

As a tech exec and mentor, we sometimes groom people for management roles without developing their key leadership skills. New managers struggle to be effective leaders, resorting to micro-plans, metrics, and negative pressure, resulting in low morale and a lack of respect.

Certain organizations aggressively promote individuals into management roles without adequately supporting their development as effective people leaders. In the long run, this approach can hinder the career growth of these managers. Additionally, it can create a detrimental impact on the leadership hierarchy of an organization, fostering a culture that prioritizes metrics over the well-being and needs of their workforce.

Consider this: Can we acquire leadership skills prior to assuming managerial roles? Or is leadership primarily an art form rather than a science? The qualities that define successful leaders are truly remarkable.

Successful leaders demonstrate the following:

They listen and have empathy.
They communicate openly and honestly.
They EMPOWER.

It’s important to remember: Exceptional leaders also aspire to become exceptional managers. Leadership alone might garner adoration from the team, but without management elements, progress may be hindered.

You can consciously acquire leadership traits and apply them to your situation. Reflect on your management style. Do you dictate and set unrealistic timelines? Do you expect automatic respect? Instead, foster respect and trust by mentoring, not losing your cool when deadlines are missed. To effectively apply leadership traits, break bad practices and negotiate with your manager for a rewarding team environment.

Cultivate maturity, maintain humility, and practice empathy. As a result, you can assemble an exceptional team that will support and contribute to your journey of becoming a successful leader.

Click here for another post on leading vs. managing.

A Tech Exec Needs to Unleash the Power of Empowerment

Attention tech exec! Pay close attention, as I will reveal a vital secret: truly impactful executives prioritize empowerment. They understand that the true magic lies in enabling their team members to harness their skills and embrace their authentic selves in the workplace.

Are you looking forward to acquiring valuable and practical strategies that can effectively foster an empowered environment? If so, you’re in luck! Here are a few concise yet incredibly impactful guidelines that will equip a tech exec with the necessary tools to create an atmosphere of empowerment and growth.

Empower individuals who have consistently showcased their competence and expertise by entrusting them with decision-making authority. By recognizing their capabilities and providing them with the opportunity to lead, organizations can benefit from their valuable insights and strategic decision-making skills.
Promote and foster the development of skills through dedicated training programs, mentorship opportunities, and continuous learning initiatives. By providing a supportive environment that encourages growth and exploration, individuals can cultivate their talents and expertise to achieve their full potential.
Foster trust within your team as this is a foundational element that can lead to remarkable outcomes. By creating an environment where team members feel empowered, valued, and supported, you enable them to unlock their full potential. This emphasis on trust not only enhances collaboration and productivity but also cultivates a sense of belonging and motivation among team members, resulting in a more cohesive and successful work dynamic.

Remember, as a tech exec, true leadership success flourishes by empowering individuals to empower others! By nurturing a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility, leaders can inspire their team members to reach their full potential and make a positive impact. Let’s bring this visionary concept to life and create a supportive environment where everyone’s unique strengths are recognized and valued.

See this post on risk taking as a tech exec.