When Capturing Lightning is the Easy Part!

How to Lead Technical People, Build Highly-Functional Teams, and Make A Difference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9ePilqnsLs

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.