In tech or any other industry, leadership is a crucial element for success. With a leader, a team has focus, direction, and someone to make critical decisions. Because of the importance of leadership, it has become a widely studied and discussed topic. But what constitutes a good leader? And specifically, what are the qualities a leader in the tech industry should possess?
There are some basic qualities that are agreed upon by many when it comes to defining a good leader. These include having a vision, energy, authority, and strategic direction. However, these qualities alone don’t guarantee an inspirational leader; someone people actively choose to follow.
Inspirational leaders have certain defining characteristics. They are not afraid to reveal their weaknesses, striking a balance in showing enough to create a sense of trust, without exposing fatal flaws. They are also masters of intuition, able to sense subtle shifts in attitudes, behaviors, and potential opportunities.
Additionally, they practice “tough empathy,” understanding what their team needs, not just what they want, and making decisions from a broader, benefit-focused perspective. Lastly, they dare to be different, leveraging their individuality to gain followers and engage their team in their journey.
Good leaders also have some more quantifiable traits. According to Arden University in the UK, good leaders are decisive, able to make tough decisions even under pressure. They also foster trust within their teams, maintaining transparency and communication. They empower their team, breeding a sense of mutual trust and improving overall performance. Lastly, they possess resilience, meeting challenges head-on while keeping the organization and team’s goals in mind.
With regard to team management, the concept of the “Zone of Indifference” was introduced by Wood. This refers to the range of activities that employees are willing to do without question. A large zone of indifference can be beneficial, but if it’s too large (i.e., if your team agrees to even unreasonable requests), it may indicate broader cultural issues within the team.
In conclusion, leadership skills are vital in the tech industry. Actively gaining and developing these skills can create a valuable combination of technical and leadership abilities. This combination is in high demand and for those already in leadership roles, it’s essential to maintain a commitment to developing these skills further for a more efficient team.
