Being a great tech leader: Soft skills are top of the agenda, says STX Next
Szymon Piasecki of STX Next
Szymon Piasecki, head of DevOps, offers tips on how to get the most out of technical staff in a changed world
While IT teams have generally continued to deliver work without major disruption in the last 18 months, the pandemic has brought into sharper relief the importance of soft skills in technology leadership. According to Szymon Piasecki, head of DevOps at software development house STX Next, this is where businesses need to invest the most time in the rest of 2021 and beyond.
Piasecki says, “Technical expertise in IT roles has always been a given, but the ability to motivate staff, help build their skills and look after their emotional wellbeing requires a different set of capabilities entirely. Successfully blending the two elements is the ultimate challenge of any tech leader.”
Below, Piasecki outlines the key areas that tech leaders should focus on to ensure future success for IT teams.
- Trust your employees
Piasecki says, “Staff will flourish if you show them that you believe in their potential, and give them the space to express their ideas and grow their responsibilities. Widespread remote working has shown that people can do their jobs well without being physically present, so it’s important that this trust between leaders and employees is maintained.
“This means giving staff the chance to make mistakes in a safe environment, where an honest error receives constructive feedback rather than a dismissive rebuke. Initiative and independent thought should always be appreciated, even if a team member doesn’t get things quite right the first time.”
- Show people they’re not alone
Piasecki, “Remote working has been successful for many in terms of productivity, but isolation has its challenges too. This is especially true for junior staff, many of whom have started their careers without the benefit of in-person interaction with colleagues.
“Whether staff are still at home or back in the office, it’s crucial to let them know that they’re not alone. This means being there for staff when they need professional or emotional guidance, and using your experience with projects and tech stacks to help them through the tougher times. It’s all about balance you need to be there to provide support, but without micromanaging their every move.”
- Deliver in-person events too
Piasecki, “Everyone benefits from in-person interaction every now and then, especially as Zoom fatigue often makes concentration difficult in online meetings. Getting back to organising social events is a great way for people to get to know each other better and share some of their experiences and knowledge of their roles.
“Structured workshops that focus on enhancing skills in various areas are also hugely valuable. These should focus not just on the bread-and-butter technical skills, but also other areas such as time management, project planning and how to keep on top of your emotional wellbeing in the workplace. Face-to-face interactions often work wonders when it comes to developing these disciplines.”
- Promote people as soon as they’re ready
Piasecki, “Don’t be afraid to promote your most promising staff when they do great work. Giving credit where credit is due is vital in increasing staff loyalty and motivating people to push themselves to reach new heights.
“This mantra is particularly true when a team member demonstrates the all-important blend of technical and softer skills. After a strange 18 months of isolation and uncertainty, showing staff that you appreciate their work and believe in them can go a long way towards making your organisation a happier and more productive one.”
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