Taking on the role of CTO in a new company is always a mix of excitement and challenge. When I joined my last organization, the team was managed by interim CTOs and the CEO, creating a gap between senior management and team members. My mission was clear: bridge this gap and connect with the fantastic people on our team.
I scheduled 25-minute one-on-one meetings with everyone in the product and technology organization. These conversations, beyond introductions, delved into personal backgrounds, passions, and ambitions. I asked three key questions:
1. What’s going well?
2. What could be improved?
3. What would you do if you were in my shoes?
These questions helped me understand the team’s current state and gather invaluable insights. I shared my findings with the leadership team, and we took concrete actions based on the feedback. We established monthly team check-ins to foster open communication and discuss improvement initiatives.
This regular interaction sparked new energy within the team and introduced intent-based leadership principles. By fostering an environment where team members felt heard and empowered, we enabled them to take control of their learning and improvement journeys.
The results were remarkable—increased engagement, satisfaction, and a wave of innovation driving our success. My experience underscores the importance of closing gaps between management and staff, fostering open communication, and empowering teams.
I’m eager to learn from other IT leaders. How did you close the gap between executive management and your team? Let’s share and grow together!
hashtag#Leadership hashtag#CTO hashtag#Innovation hashtag#TeamBuilding hashtag#Communication hashtag#TechLeadership hashtag#EmployeeEngagement hashtag#BusinessTransformation hashtag#intentbasedleadership
