Work's Just This...

Happy Thursday!  For the month of May, I’m focusing on the importance of maintaining a strong head-space as an org leader in tech.  Here’s what you need to know in under 2 minutes…

What tech leaders should be thinking about this week: Reminding yourself that work is an experience … and that’s it.  The tech market continues to remind us that work is an “at-will” experience. We can make the decision to leave an organization, and companies can make the decision to part ways with us too. Microsoft demonstrated this partnership last week with the 3% reduction of their global workforce. While tough, headlines around layoffs are a great reminder to tech leaders:  Keeping a clear-head around the “at-will” nature of work will actually push you (and your team) to perform with bigger impact and take bigger/better risks.  

Why this is important:  Thinking about work in more of a transactional way forces tech leaders to prioritize the right things for themselves and their teams. Feedback becomes more real; balance becomes more important; and the general “vibe” of how you lead doesn’t generate panic or fear. While it’s still important to exceed expectations and push your team(s)to play well with others, thinking in more “at-will” terms will ease the pressure (and allow you to focus on what’s most important – what you’re getting out of the work, your family, your health, etc.). See if this simple shift in focus/head-space helps you the next time you see a tech-layoff headline in your news feed.

Simple “Go-Do’s” for tech leaders/performers:  Write down your definition of an “at-will”work experience and follow with personal/professional commitments to support that new definition. Think about:

·     Why are you doing this? What’s happening professionally that will benefit from a more “at-will” mindset? Where are you going over-board/giving too much?

·     What programs/initiatives need more risk-taking, knowing your work relationship is “at-will”?”  Are there areas where you can play it a little less safe? What might happen if you knew you couldn’t fail?

·     How might your communication/feedback changewith this new way of thinking?  Can you be less “corporate” in how you come across to your teams? Is there an opportunity to be less critical of yourself?

·     Where can you incorporate more balance?  Knowing you aren’t investing your entire self into work, how does that allow you to prioritize your health? How can weekends become more fun?

·     When should you check-in to make sure you’re on track? A quarterly cadence could work well to make sure you’re not getting “sucked-in” too much and prioritizing both what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.

·     Who seems to be hitting “at-will” out of the ballpark?  You probably know someone doing this notably well.  Take them to lunch and/or ask them their strategies for success (especially if it’s a senior leader/executive – hello visibility!).

Value Add – Additional ways to show-up as a leader:  Memorial Day (holiday) is coming-up next Monday here in the US.  I love a good day away from my desk and this is a great reminder that you should too!  With your new “at-will” mindset, take the weekend off.  And don’t forget to come-up with a few headlines for next week when you’re asked, “So how was your weekend?”  It’s a great opportunity to differentiate yourself!

New/improved dedicated newsletter page!  Know someone who’s looking for quick/easy ways to show-up better as a tech leader/performer? Forward them this mail or have them sign-up directly on the new/improved newsletter page on theEngaged Pursuit website.

Here’s to your Engaged Pursuit!