The IT Leadership Deal

The Deal - It is time to stop talking action, and take action. I promise to share with you the most powerful, exact ways to achieve what you want to achieve. And in return you promise to take action. And that action may be what I suggest, or, if you disagree with something I suggest, you will do something else - you will do something. No more delay, no more excuses.

Computer Weekly suggested I share everything I know about leadership in a single post. Isn't that ridiculous? Insulting even. The idea that I can stretch out what little I know about leadership to cover an entire single entry? The only think I have discovered over the last 25 years about success is this...

...And there is one of our greatest challenges. Why do so many parents go on and on at their children about what they are going to be when they grow up? Because they are hunting for ideas, for themselves...

Knowing where we want to go in life, as individuals, as teams and companies, is one of our biggest challenges...

Comes down to Ownership and Honesty. Taking Ownership of your life, and being honest about what is "wrong" with you...the first one is tough, the second might be depressing, so it's probably best if you don't read on...

...To get to where you want to go. This comes down to Choice, and to whether you are brave enough to make a True Decision...

Question: What is the number one most important thing to do to ensure the success of an IT project?

My Answer : Form trusted, informal relationships - so strong that you can say and share anything with each other - perhaps privately - then you will get to the truth of the situation every day, and in every conversation

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please add your own answer under comments, and e-mail me questions to davidprivate@nakedleader.com

Question: How can I find out who owns what in my department - or even in the company?

My Answer : Ask around, where do people go to, to find things out? Who do they go and see - who has the buried knowledge in an organisation? Then go see the same people

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please add your own answer under comments, and e-mail me questions to davidprivate@nakedleader.com

Question: Should I get drunk at our Christmas party?

My Answer : No, unless you want other people to remember what a fool you made of yourself, even if you can't, in which case Yes

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please add your own answer under comments, and e-mail me questions to davidprivate@nakedleader.com

Question: Should I give cards to everyone in my team or only those people I like?

My Answer : Teams below ten people - everyone, over ten give to your closest one or two, or don't give any and give a donation to charity

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please add your own answer under comments, and e-mail me questions to davidprivate@nakedleader.com

Question: What is the best way to find out what people think of IT?

My Answer : Have a personal stint on the Help-Desk, especially if you are a leader of people - set a good example for them to do the same

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please add your own answer under comments, and e-mail me questions to davidprivate@nakedleader.com

Question: What are the three top things we should get rid of in our IT dept.?

My Answer : Difficult - as I don't know what you have or do not have - the three most frequent monsters that IT depts have, and "should" replace, are : Service Level Agreements (Replace with Service Charters), Job Descriptions (with People Descriptions), and Comptency based anything (Focus instead on people's strengths and on using them)

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Question: How do I deal with negs?

My Answer : Negs fall into three categories - those that simply want attention (give it to them), next, the majority - those that love to moan behind your back because it gives them some perverse pleasure, (see next) - and those that will always do so not matter what you do or say (get rid of them from your organisation).

The majority are the biggest middle group - ask their opinion, on something that you know they know something about, in front of witnesses (in the main office) and if they say they do not have an opinion, say no problem, you will come back "tomorrow" again. Always works...

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Question: Sorry David - talk me through dealing with a neg?

My Answer : (Stolen from here)

Approach them at their desk, ensure there are other people (witnesses) present. Remember that negs thrive by telling others that you never pay them any attention, or ask their opinion on anything. You are about to disprove this. Make idle chat, not just with neg, but with the group of people around him/her. Raise a subject about which you know neg has an interest, or skill, or is involved in their job. Then, warmly ask for their thoughts on a particular aspect of this. It is brilliant, because they cannot announce they have no thoughts! I have done this many times, and many negs have turned around - and complained about me to my face, which is exactly what I was seeking!

When negs reach positions of power they often become bullies - business bullying is becoming a big issue in organisations. If you are ever bullied - my definition is if anyone says or does something that worries or frightens you, verbally or otherwise, do something about it.

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Question: Do you believe in luck?

My Answer : No - I believe in opportunity - moments in life come along when we spot such an opportunity - and it is then our choice whether we take it, or not. Belief plus choice = luck. “The harder I work the luckier I get.” is a famous quote from Samuel Goldwyn, also attributed to golfer Gary Player.

Do you believe in luck?

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Question: Are leaders born or made?

My Answer : Made. (Although, all leaders are also born)

No, you decide - no-one has ever conclusively agreed on this - so, you decide, and make sure you choose whatever serves you best - so, if you believe leaders are born, i.e. not made, then make sure you also decide you were one of those luckier babies.

The IT Leadership Deal - Do this, or do something - the more suggestions / tips the more helpful to readers:

Please - share your Answer, your Thought or Comment

Hi - This blog has been going for over six months now - my aim was, and is, to create an interactive leadership blog for people in IT - what would you like and want from this blog? Please comment or e-mail me davidultra@nakedleader.com - Many thanks. David