Post on 13-Jan-2015
description
When Capturing Lightning is the Easy Part!
How to Lead Technical People, Build Highly-Functional Teams, and Make A Difference
How hard can it be?
http://drmegavolt.com
Our Agenda
• A little bit about me• A conversation about the state of Biz/Tech
Leadership• Solutions, ideas, and stories that will
entertain, intrigue, and equip you
4 Primary Topics
The Leadership DilemmaThe Leadership SolutionThe Leadership RealityThe Leadership Vision
A little about me…
But we had no idea was was to come…
Warning: Educational Content
• Let’s stroll through the history of modern technology…
Tech History , Part 1
• Click to add text
Tech History , Part II
2000
1990
For business - we live in crazy times…
Thesis Point 1: The Leadership Dilemma
Business Leaders of today are ill equipped to lead
technical people
Traditional business leaders…
Traditional workers…
The technical gangstas…
Houston…we have a problem
BusinessAcumen
TechnologyAcumen
The pace of change is blistering…
(64 Years) From This
To This
(30 Years) From This
To This
Or This (and which is the concept?)
(8 Years) From This
…
To This
We are the simplifiers…
We are the translators…
We are the magicians…
Don’t get cocky
Thesis Point 2: The Leadership Solution
Businesses need us (the technical leaders) and
those we lead (the technical braintrust) to be more relevant than ever
It is important to think holistically:
As leaders of technical people, we need to be:• Technically excellent• Business savvy• Socially responsible• Champions of complex humans• Drivers of dreams
There is simply not a connection (yet)
See any “Business” reference here?
Need Technology
Companies that need technology:
Need Revenue
Companies that need revenue:
33%
64%
3%
Technology Savvy
Revenue Savvy
Purple Dinosaurs
Typical company breakdown by ability:
But great leaders always do one thing well:
They InspireOthersToAchieveGreatThings
Thesis Point 3: The Leadership Reality
Technical cats are not like other cats
Technical cats are different…
You need to understand them…
And then you can lead them
What motivates technical people?
• The Challenge• The Opportunity• The Environment• The Team• The Mission
LTP: The Challenge
LTP: The Opportunity
LTP: The OpportunityIt’s a GREAT time to be in technology.Aw crap – this makes life for us leaders even harder…
LTP: The Environment
LTP: The Environment
LTP: The Environment
LTP: The Environment
LTP: The Team
MTP: The Mission
CIOs, CTOs, and Tech Leads have a huge opportunity:
Be the Champions of What’s Possible
Thesis Point 4: The Leadership Vision
The effective leader of technical people must be
different (and must be capable) to be successful
The Effective Leader has 3 Roles
Alpha WolfPsychologistSensei
The Alpha Wolf
You must know their world
IT Manager
Development Manager
CIO
Network Admin
Help Desk
Hold Back Your FangsWhat if this is your CMO???
The Psychologist
The Sensei
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MrDelicious/media/Splinter_Dave_Rapoza_TMNT_2.jpg.html
Let’s bring it all together
We Covered 4 Primary Topics
The Leadership DilemmaThe Leadership SolutionThe Leadership RealityThe Leadership Vision
Thesis Point 1: The Leadership Dilemma
Business Leaders of today are ill equipped to lead
technical people
Thesis Point 2: The Leadership Solution
Businesses need us (the technical leaders) and
those we lead (the technical braintrust) to be more relevant than ever
Thesis Point 3: The Leadership Reality
Technical cats are not like other cats
Thesis Point 4: The Leadership Vision
The effective leader of technical people must be
different (and must be capable) to be successful
3 Primary Roles
Alpha WolfPsychologist
Sensei
And finally, remember what’s important
Thank You!
Brett Eddy
www.bretteddy.com
@brettseattle
Archive
• Credits for visuals and topics are in the notes. • Sincere apologies for those I missed.