Technology Leader Development

Not every tech choice needs to be groundbreaking. Sometimes, the best move is a strategic 'not-yet' to protect stability and ensure critical objectives stay on track. Years ago, as cell phones became commonplace, we faced pressure to retire two-way pagers in favor of text messaging for critical code-blue notifications. But here was the problem: text messages back then could lag by up to five minutes—can you imagine? Although the push for change was strong, the stakes were too high to risk delayed notifications. So, we ran annual tests, only moving forward when 99% of text messages reliably arrived within a few seconds. It took time, collaboration with cell providers, and patience. But eventually, we had the infrastructure and reliability needed to make the switch safely, meeting both the technology and the physicians’ standards. Innovation is essential, but knowing when to hold off and protect stability is just as crucial. Have you ever had to say ‘not yet’ to ensure reliability? Share your story below! #InnovationStrategy #FocusOnStability #ModernITLeader #MeetThemWhereTheyAre #ModernMentor

We all know stress is on the rise, and leaders are often the ones navigating both their own pressures and the load their teams carry. Leadership in times like these goes beyond getting things done – it’s about showing up for people. One quote from an article I read recently really hit me: “Great leaders recognize that there are numerous factors impacting their employees’ abilities to be successful. That does not mean that leaders should be required to be mental health counselors. It means that they should know how to be human with their people, provide support and guidance when it is needed, and recognize that each of their team members is likely carrying a load of stress that can impact organizational and individual outcomes.” This is a powerful reminder of the human side of leadership. If you’re looking to lead with clarity, consistency, and kindness, this article is a great place to start. 🌐 Check out the full article to explore how we can create a supportive, steady environment, even when things feel chaotic. https://lnkd.in/g4rZmFbu #Leadership #StressManagement #LeadWithKindness #TechLeadership #PeopleFirst #ClarityConsistencyKindness #TechnologyLeaderDevelopment

Don’t Get Distracted by the Bling: How to Set Clear Requirements Before Evaluating Quotes - How often have you received quotes for new equipment or software, only to feel overwhelmed trying to compare them? The truth is, most teams struggle with decision-making because they haven’t clearly defined what they need versus what they want. Without a clear set of requirements, even something as simple as choosing a new printer can turn into an endless debate. 🖨️ One tool I’ve found incredibly helpful for this process is an adjusted version of the MoSCoW method. It’s a great way to define the requirements up front, so when the quotes and demos come in, you already have a clear framework for evaluation. Here’s how my version works: 🔑 Must Have: These are your non-negotiables. Whether it’s security features, compatibility, or essential functionality, this is the baseline. If a quote doesn’t meet these requirements, it’s off the table, with no exceptions. 📈 Should Have: These are important features that would improve the solution but aren’t deal-breakers. If a vendor can offer these without pushing the cost overboard, it’s a win. 😊 Nice to Have: These are features that would be beneficial but aren’t critical. If the budget allows, they’re a bonus, but they shouldn’t drive the decision. ✨ Bling: This is where it gets tricky. Bling refers to those flashy features you see at conferences or in online demos—the ones that catch your eye but don’t actually add value to your organization. They’re often unnecessary and can inflate costs or distract from your real needs. By defining your requirements this way, you’ll have a clear map to navigate the quotes and demos you receive. Instead of chasing the latest "bling" feature, you’ll focus on what really matters to your team and your organization. I’ve used this approach to help my teams make faster, more consistent decisions—and avoid wasting time (and money) on shiny distractions that don’t align with our goals. 💼 Before you even start gathering quotes, make sure you’re clear on your Must Haves, Should Haves, and Nice to Haves. Your future self—and your budget—will thank you. How do you set your requirements before evaluating solutions? Let’s talk in the comments. #RequirementsGathering #ITLeadership #ProcurementTips #TechLeadership #EfficientDecisionMaking #MoSCoWMethod #ModernITLeader #MeetThemWhereTheyAre #ModernMentor

Vendor Relationships: Why It’s Not Just About the Lowest Price - It’s tempting to go for the cheapest quote, especially when budgets are tight. But experienced IT leaders know that chasing the lowest price can often lead to bigger problems down the road—missed deadlines, poor quality, or even strained vendor relationships. 💡 The real win comes from focusing on value. When you approach quotes with a "win-win" mindset, both your organization and the vendor are set up for success. Here’s why: 🤝 Build Partnerships, Not Just Transactions: A strong vendor relationship can lead to faster response times, better support, and even future discounts. Vendors who feel valued often go the extra mile. 🔍 Focus on Long-Term Benefits: Choosing a vendor based on long-term value—like expertise, service quality, and alignment with your strategic goals—often ends up saving more time and money than the cheapest option. 🚫 Avoid the ‘Race to the Bottom’: When cost is the only consideration, the quality of service can take a backseat. In my experience, vendors who win on price alone may cut corners elsewhere. Don’t let that happen to your project. ✔️ Be Transparent About Your Needs: During the quoting process, it’s essential to communicate what’s most important to you beyond the price. Is it faster delivery? Better support? Custom solutions? Let the vendor know what drives your decision-making, and you'll likely end up with a deal that benefits both sides. 💬 Think About the Win-Win: Vendors aren’t in business to give away their services for free. Financial profit is part of their bottom line, but so is their reputation. What can you offer beyond a higher price? Maybe it’s your company logo on their sales deck after a successful implementation, or co-authoring a white paper together. Think creatively—what are you and your company willing to offer that adds value to both sides of the equation? As IT leaders, we must look beyond immediate savings and focus on partnerships that deliver sustained value and impact. After all, we’re not just making a purchase—we’re making an investment in our organization’s future success. 💼 In my years working with vendors, the most successful relationships have always come from focusing on shared goals rather than squeezing every last dollar. Trust and value will always outperform a race to the bottom. How do you approach vendor negotiations? Share your insights in the comments below! #VendorManagement #StrategicPartnerships #ITLeadership #ValueOverCost #ProcurementExcellence #TechLeadership #ModernITLeader #MeetThemWhereTheyAre #ModernMentor

Why IT Leaders Need a Quoting Process, Even Below the Bid Threshold - As IT leaders, we often face situations where formal bidding isn’t required, but that doesn’t mean we can skip having a structured approach. When there’s no clear process for acquiring equipment and services below a certain threshold, decisions can become inconsistent, and timelines can stretch out seemingly forever. That’s where the frustration often starts—trying to balance speed with sound decision-making when the guidelines simply aren’t there. 🤔 Ever experienced this? You need to make a purchase under the bid threshold, but without clear guidelines, you’re left wondering how many quotes you need or how to justify your choice. Here’s a simple yet effective solution: draft guidelines before you’re in a pinch, and stick to them consistently. Here's an example that could work for your organization, if for example purchases over $250K require a formal bid: 💸 $150K-$250K: Request 5 quotes, schedule 3 vendor presentations. 💸 $75K-$150K: Gather 3 quotes, plan 2 presentations. 💸 Under $75K: Ask for 3 quotes and 1 presentation or vendor discussion. 💸 Under $45K: A single quote may be enough. What matters isn’t just the numbers—it’s having an approved, documented process that everyone can follow. This not only keeps things fair but also helps build trust with your internal stakeholders. No more last-minute scrambling or justifying your decisions—everyone knows the playbook. 📅 Consistency matters. Having these guidelines in place ensures your team doesn’t slow down due to indecision. It also prevents the kind of favoritism that can creep into decision-making when no one’s watching. 💼 As a senior IT leader, I’ve seen firsthand how this kind of structure saves time, reduces stress, and improves vendor relationships. Trust me—when things get hectic, it’s these small, consistent processes that keep everything moving smoothly. What kind of guidelines does your team follow for smaller purchases? Let’s talk about what works (and what doesn’t) in the comments. #LeadershipExcellence #ITManagementTips #ProcurementBestPractices #ITOperations #ConsistencyInAction #TechnologyLeadership #ModernITLeader #MeetThemWhereTheyAre #ModernMentor

As IT leaders, when we present to executives, it’s easy to fall into the trap of just providing status updates. But here’s the reality: your audience doesn’t want a breakdown of every detail—they want clarity on what’s important and where they need to take action. One common mistake we make? Going too deep into project specifics that don’t need executive input. Think of it this way: if your budget is on track, a simple, "We’re at 28% spend, tracking under our 30% target, budget is green," is enough. Don’t waste valuable time. So, how do you craft a presentation that leads to meaningful discussions and decisions instead of just a nod and a thank you? Here’s what I’ve learned from 25+ years of presenting to senior leaders: 💡 Know your audience. You’re not presenting to your team; focus on what matters to executives—impact, risk, and decisions. 💡 Start with the outcome. What do you need from this meeting? Tailor everything around that decision. 💡 Visualize data simply. Use graphs to highlight trends and risks, but keep it digestible. 💡 Prompt questions. Don’t try to answer everything upfront—allow your audience to ask the right questions by giving them just enough to engage. 💡 Be clear on next steps. If a decision is needed, state it upfront and reiterate it at the end. Your goal is to ensure the room is prepared, engaged, and ready to make decisions if needed. Have you had to adjust your presentation style to get better results from stakeholders? Let’s discuss what’s worked for you in the comments!👇 #ITLeadership #ExecutivePresentations #StakeholderManagement #LeadershipTips #DecisionMaking #CommunicationSkills #ModernITLeader #MeetThemWhereTheyAre #ModernMentor

🌟 Leading Through Stress: A Guide for IT Leaders 🌟 Navigating constant change can be tough, especially in IT. Here are key strategies to help your team thrive during transitions: 👉 Acknowledge the Reality: Recognize the stress your team faces when adapting to new processes. 📅 Communicate with Purpose: Set clear objectives before meetings to eliminate confusion. 🔨 Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Simplify large projects into smaller, actionable tasks. ⏰ Set Communication Expectations: Respect time zones and set clear response time guidelines to avoid burnout. Ready to explore more? Read the full blog here 💬 How do you lead your team through stressful transitions? Let’s discuss! #ModernITLeader #MeetThemWhereTheyAre #ModernMentor #ITLeadership #TeamPerformance #LeadershipTips #ChangeManagement #TechLeaders

Ever find yourself in a meeting and wonder, ‘Could I have used this time better?’ I’ve been there too. Before hitting ‘accept’ on every invite, try this approach: Ask the right questions in the right way. It’s all about tone! Here’s how you can politely and professionally inquire about your role in a meeting: “I noticed I’ve been invited to the upcoming meeting. Could you clarify what specific value or input you’d like me to bring? I want to ensure I’m well-prepared to contribute.” “Given the nature of the meeting, do you think it would be more effective for one representative from our team to attend and then share key takeaways with everyone? I’m happy to align either way.” “Is there any reading or prep work I should complete beforehand to ensure I’m fully up to speed?” This way, you’ll come across as considerate and focused on value, not dismissive. It’s about showing you care about making the meeting productive for everyone involved. Remember, meetings should add value – not just take up space on your calendar. ✅ How do you handle meeting invites? Do you ask these types of questions? Let’s discuss best practices and tips! #ProfessionalCommunication #MeetingEtiquette #ITLeadership #TimeWellSpent #LeadershipTips #CollaborationSkills" #ModernITLeader #MeetThemWhereTheyAre #ModernMentor

💼✨ 7 hours of meetings? I can handle it! 🧙♀️💻 But let's be real… which "me" shows up after hour 4 depends on whether there were 10-minute breaks in between. ✨ With breaks: The good witch is here, ready to work her magic. 😠 Without breaks: Let's just say… the wicked witch might make an appearance. 🧹 Make no mistake—I’ll work magic regardless, but if you want everyone to have a much nicer experience, schedule those 50-minute meetings with a 10-minute break. Don’t make me send the flying monkeys. 🐒 #LeadershipMagic #MeetingEtiquette #WorkSmart #BetterMeetings #ModernITLeader #MeetThemWhereTheyAre #ModernMentor

🎯 Is your IT team playing "hot potato" with high-priority tickets? I was recently reminded of a situation where a ticket bounced between four people before someone finally took ownership. It added hours to the resolution time, and it became clear that we needed a change. That’s when we introduced ticket swarming, a collaborative approach that gets the right people involved from the start, reducing handoffs and speeding up solutions. In my latest blog, I dive into how we implemented ticket swarming and the impact it’s had on our team’s efficiency. Does your team use swarming? Let’s discuss how this method can help drive faster results in IT operations. 🚀 Read the full post here. #ITLeadership #ITOperations #TicketSwarming #IncidentResolution #Collaboration #HighPriorityTickets #TechLeaders