In the tech leadership world, there’s this common trap we can fall into—hiding away in our offices. It's easy to do, especially for those of us who lean a bit on the introverted side. But here’s the thing: to really get the pulse of what’s happening in our field, we've got to get out there and engage with the people doing the actual work. Technology’s all about making things easier and more innovative for our teams, but there’s often a gap. Folks not living and breathing tech might not know about all the cool tools they could use, and us tech leaders might not see the creative shortcuts or workarounds they're using to get things done.
So, how do we bridge this gap? How do we get more in tune with the heartbeat of our companies? Here are a few thoughts:
- Chat it up in the hallways: Seriously, just talk to people. Get to know the movers and shakers in your company. You’ve got to build some trust, so they'll open up about their daily grind. When you’re visiting different sites or meeting with customers, leave some room in your schedule for those chance hallway chats that can lead to gold. Find out what big problems they’re trying to crack and maybe, you can throw in your two cents about a project that might help them out.
- Mix your teams: Have your tech folks spend some time shadowing the end-users. It’s eye-opening to see if the tools you’ve deployed are actually making life easier for them or if they're just sitting there gathering virtual dust.
- Know your stuff: This one’s a given but keep digging deep into what your business systems can do. The more you know, the better you can jump into conversations with something useful to contribute.
- Circle back on solutions: After you roll out a new tool or system, don’t just walk away. Check back in after a month or two to see if it’s really making a difference or if it needs a tweak here and there.
Getting out of your office and engaging with your team not only helps your tech team get seen as the go-to problem solvers but also makes your work a lot more enjoyable. It’s about building connections, understanding the real-world application of your work, and continuously improving things.
In short, stepping away from the comfort zone of your office and diving into the daily lives of those around you is key for any tech leader looking to make a real impact. It’s all about fostering a sense of community, being open to learning from the ground up, and using that insight to drive innovation and efficiency. Plus, it’s just a more fun and fulfilling way to work. Making those connections, understanding challenges first-hand, and seeing the direct impact of your solutions.
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Bio: Karen Kauffman is the Director of Information Technology at Precision Strip Inc. Karen has 35 years of experience in the IT industry, with 20 years of leadership experience. Precision Strip leads the industry in metal processing for the automotive, appliance and beverage can industries.
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