What it takes to be a great leader in the tech world

leader in the tech world

“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.”

Steve Jobs

Being an exceptional leader is about more than getting the job done. You’ve got to balance your team’s needs with your goals and objectives. When money is tight, and stress levels are high, it’s easy to let those emotions get to you, and therefore your team.

What it means to be a tech leader today is different from what it meant even 2 or 3 years ago. Leaders in today’s tech world need to understand that no one person can do it all. Leaders need to surround themselves with the best team possible. How they manage those people are the keys to success in any business, but especially the tech world.  

Today’s Challenges

In today’s tech world the rate and pace of change are astounding. Keeping up with it can seem like a full-time job in of itself. The complexity of systems, processes and applications one must know can seem daunting. As with most businesses, there are ongoing pressures to stay within budget yet continue to achieve more results.

Other challenges include cyber security, privacy-related problems, and continued regulation changes. All of these issues and more make being a leader in the tech field inevitably stressful.

Mastering the art of leadership takes time, dedication, and a willingness to try and fail. While there are different leadership styles, the best leaders share some common traits.

They Deliver

To be a solid leader, you need to deliver on what you say you are going to do. Consistency is a huge factor in gaining the trust of your employee’s. This is particularly the case in the ever-changing tech world. Setting expectations and sticking to those will go a long way to being a respected leader in your field.

Being Self-Aware

Having the maturity and emotional intelligence to know your strengths and weaknesses allows for a better relationship with your team. You will be able to recognize and interpret what is going on with them. You will be able to manage how you react to them, and work better together.

Create a culture of education

With such a stressful and busy schedule it can be hard to devote time to learning. However, your professional development and growth are vital to your continued success. It’s one of the only ways you can be sure to be the leader your team needs. Whether it’s technical skills or business skills, you want to set an example and create a culture of education.

Collaboration and Delegation

There is no possible way you can do everything yourself. For that matter, there is no way you can even know how to do all the tasks that need to be completed. All tech leaders need to surround themselves with people who complement their strengths and weaknesses. Being able to collaborate with the people on your team and delegate tasks, not only gives you more time to concentrate on what matters, but it also makes your team stronger.

They know it’s ok to fail

A workplace environment where employees are encouraged to take chances and are safe to fail gives workers the confidence to try new things and grow. Furthermore, knowing that there are positives in every one of those so-called failures helps you take that leap of growth. The tech industry is based on principles of innovation and learning, a team that can learn and work together will respect the leader who has created that culture.

 

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Michael Thomas

Author: Michael Thomas

Blessed to work with a group of passionate & wicked smart techies. Everyday brings new opportunities and challenges but our focus on being our clients' most trusted advisor never waivers. We love technology and enjoy even more helping our partners improve how they work.