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Why Technology Leaders HAVE to Lead Differently
by Lena L. West, Founder & CEO, xynoMedia Development
Good leaders have always been expected to be able to solve new problems, capitalize on new opportunities and navigate through the ever changing landscape of business.
But, with the increased role that technology plays in business today, technology leaders need to perform traditional leadership duties combined with a host of other responsibilities that are necessary to be an effective leader in the technology industry. Don't be misled, the answer for technology leaders is not a flashy, acronym-laden style but, simply a blend of both timeless and more modern methodologies.
Traditional leaders must:
- Hire the right people and compose appropriate teams for various projects
- Set a direction for the company and provide the guidance to get there
- Establish the identity and culture of the company
- Help people navigate through turbulent business waters
- Boost morale while dealing with difficult times and issues
- Identify new opportunities for the company
Technology leaders must incorporate the traditional leadership duties above while additionally, placing specific emphasis on being:
- Technically competent but able to relay complex technical ideas in a decidedly non-technical fashion.
- Fast, decisive and comfortable with quick action and change. The technology industry moves very quickly. Slow movers almost always pay dearly.
- Harmonious and fair. Technology has played a large role in the diversification of the modern workforce but with increased diversity there also comes increased discord.
- Global-minded. With the advent of the Internet, practically any company can be a global company. That extended reach brings more competition, different societies and customs and different technology standards with which to contend.
Technology leaders must blend the old with the new as well as have a portion of their energies devoted to the big picture and the consequences and benefits that accompany the larger scale. Technology is a driving force in today's economy. Multi-billion dollar deals are made in months as opposed to years. Technology company's shelf lives have decreased dramatically. Research and development times are shorter than ever - it no longer takes years to conceptualize, prototype and launch a product. All these reasons and more, give evidence to the fact that technology leaders have to lead differently.
As the technology leader of my share of ventures, I've had to focus on all of the above in order to create my own personal leadership style - which evolves with each new project. If you know where you are, where you want to be, and you have a solid - but flexible - plan to get there, people will follow.
Lena L. West is the Founder & CEO of xynoMedia Development, a technology consulting firm in Yonkers, NY. She has been a technology leader since she began her career in technology 7 years ago. She can be reached at LWest@xynoMedia.com.
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