Power to the Team
FountainBlue's December 9 When She Speaks was on the topic of Power to the Team, hosted by Nutanix. Below are notes from the conversation.
This month's panel represented a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, but they had much in common.
Their authentic voice and leadership style helped them connect with people across the organization and between people and teams.
Their varied experience helps them work with a wide range of people and perspectives, in a broad range of functions and roles.
Their track record for success helps them succeed in higher-impact positions and projects, and gains them credibility across the board, and including executive suite members.
Leading teams is much more challenging today than it used to be for many reasons.
The technology is more complex. There are many more moving pieces and many more people and groups involved in development.
The pace of change has accelerated, from the technology side and from the business side.
The size of the team, and the number of groups and teams involved is now greatly increased.
The customers are much more discerning, much more demanding. They are also requesting customizations and personalizations. It takes a coordinated team effort to deliver these solutions at scale to this discerning customer base.
Changes in corporate direction happen, and teams must deliver to new objectives mid-stream, even when the new goals are contrary to prior plans!
There's a greater need to include more diversity on the team, to represent a much larger and broader customer base.
The need for collaboration and communication is much greater because of these changes. Below are some best practices for leading teams.
Be authentic to your values and your goals, and ensure alignment between who you are, and what you do, working with people who share your values.
Be a versatile team leader who are also adept at following.
Help others disagree and commit where necessary.
Be positive, candid, transparent and clear in all communications. It's not always easy to ensure seamless alignment on clear, measurable goals, especially when changes and challenges take place. It takes courage to have difficult conversations, to own up to mistakes and problems, to maintain momentum and credibility, despite the changes. But it must be done to maintain energy and progress.
Be nimble, agile and quick.
Make it about the data and the cause, not about personal or political agendas.
Focus on quality and results rather than volume and quantity.
Build relationships that are deep and broad in the short term and for the long term. Build relationships not because you might need something from them someday, but because you can build these relationships, because you can help each other one day, because you can better understand the perspectives of others, especially when they don't think like you, especially when change is in the works!
Focus on high-impact tasks which would generate measurable progress towards well-defined goals. Communicate progress to stakeholders regularly and build momentum around the cause.
Secure the sponsorship of key execs to help ensure your team has the resources and support it needs to succeed.
Pivots will happen. Be transparent and clear about why pivots happen, what it means for the team and company and individuals, etc.
Celebrate successes and progress.
Be inclusive, productive and positive.
Enlist the support of a Board of Directors, a group of mentors and supporters to help you identify and work around your blind spots. Play that role for others as well - whether they are execs who would value an opinion or a high-potential team member.
The overarching message from our inspiring and diverse panel is clear - be true to YOU, and keep the energy and results flowing, so you can serve your customers, support your team, and deliver for your product and company!
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Please join me in thanking our gracious hosts at Nutanix and our panelists for the Power to the Team Event.
Facilitator Linda Holroyd, CEO, FountainBlue - Executive Coach, Tech Adviser and Leadership Consultant
Panelist Neela Deshpande, R&D Programs Director, Chief of Staff, VMware
Panelist Natasha Hoady, Senior Director of HR, Nutanix
Panelist Cheri Leonard, Senior Technical Program Manager, Samsung Research America
Panelist Martina Sourada, Senior Director, SWQA, ISV Certification, NVIDIA