Develop Your Leadership Style: for HR Managers and Leaders in Tech

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Leadership is what brings teams to life, especially in the tech industry. Whether you’re working as an HR manager or leading a tech team, tailoring your leadership style can make all the difference.

This guide delves into different types of leadership, their practical uses, and how to bring them to life in a tech environment.

Diverse Communication Styles

Why Leadership Styles Matter in Tech

Leadership styles are the frameworks through which leaders guide their teams and manage challenges. In the constantly evolving tech industry, where change is the only constant, having a versatile leadership toolkit is indispensable.

The ability to adapt and apply the right style at the right time can be the difference between project success and failure.

An Overview of Leadership Styles

Leadership Styles

Situational Leadership Style

Adaptability

Employee-Focused

Guidance-Oriented

Key Characteristics: Adaptability, employee-focused, guidance-oriented.

  1. Recognise the varying technical expertise within your team.
  2. Provide detailed guidance to new hires during onboarding, and shift to a supportive role as their skills develop.
Situational Leadership Scalable Leaders

Coercive Leadership Style

Directive

Authoritative

Quick Decision-Making

Key Characteristics: Directive, authoritative, quick decision-making.

This style is essential during tech crises such as system outages or security breaches, where immediate action and clear commands are needed to mitigate damage.

Coercive Leadership Scalable Leaders

Democratic Leadership Style

Collaborative

Inclusive

Team-Oriented

Key Characteristics: Collaborative, inclusive, team-oriented.

Use this approach when seeking innovative solutions or feedback from your tech teams. It’s particularly effective in the development of new products or features.

Democratic Leadership Scalable Leaders

Coaching Leadership Style

Development-Focused

Mentoring

Skill-Building

Key Characteristics: Development-focused, mentoring, skill-building.

Implement this style for continuous skill development and mentorship. It’s especially useful for nurturing less experienced team members, enhancing their technical proficiency and confidence.

Coaching Leadership-min

Visionary Leadership Style

Inspirational

Strategic

Goal-Oriented

Key Characteristics: Inspirational, strategic, goal-oriented.

Set the technological roadmap and inspire your team towards long-term goals. Employ this style when introducing new tech strategies or products to galvanise team commitment.

Visionary Leadership-min

Affiliative Leadership Style

Relationship-Building

Empathetic

Morale-Boosting

Key Characteristics: Relationship-building, empathetic, morale-boosting.

Foster a supportive tech culture to maintain morale and team cohesion, vital in remote work settings or during challenging project phases.

Affiliative Leadership Scalable Leaders

Practical Applications of Leadership Styles

To illustrate these leadership styles, here are a few real-world examples:

  1. Tech Startup Case Study: from coercive leadership during a crisis to a democratic and coaching approach as the company stabilised and grew.
  2. Visionary Leadership in Action: A successful tech company used visionary leadership during a cutting-edge project introduction, inspiring team commitment and utilising agile methodologies for effective implementation.
  3. Remote Team Management: An HR manager in a tech firm adapted leadership styles to manage a remote team, employing pacesetting leadership to maintain high performance and affiliative leadership to foster unity and support.
  4. Situational Leadership Example: A leader effectively used situational leadership by recognising the varying needs and skill levels of their team, adjusting their style to drive project success.

Challenges and Strategies for HR Managers and Tech Leaders

Adapting leadership styles to fit the tech environment presents unique challenges:

  1. Identifying Effective Styles: With the fast-paced nature of tech, pinpointing the most effective leadership style can be daunting. Consider the context and needs of each situation and team member.
  2. Balancing Innovation and Practicality: While visionary leadership is crucial, it must be balanced with practical application. Ensure your strategies are actionable and grounded in reality.
  3. Managing Diverse Teams: Tech teams are often diverse in expertise and experience. Tailor your leadership approach to motivate each team member effectively.
  4. Remote Work Dynamics: Remote teams require clear communication and trust. Adapt your leadership style to ensure virtual teams remain cohesive and productive.

Developing Your Leadership Skills

Effective leadership is a continuous learning process. Here are some strategies to develop and hone your skills:

  1. Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from your team to understand how your leadership style impacts them and refine your approach.
  2. Continuous Learning: Stay updated on leadership theories and practices. Attend workshops, read books, and engage with thought leaders in the tech industry.
  3. Reflect and Adapt: Reflect on your experiences and learn from both successes and failures. Adapt your style as necessary to meet the evolving needs of your team.

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level?

If you’re ready to elevate your leadership skills and make a lasting impact, start by assessing your current approach and considering how these styles can be tailored to your unique context. Remember, leadership is a journey of continuous development, so stay curious, stay adaptive, and keep leading with empathy and vision.

Sign up for the Scalable Leaders leadership development program and join a community of tech leaders dedicated to excellence and innovation.

Scalable Leaders
Curriculum Overview

1. Managing Yourself

Effective self-management is vital for any leader. Learn how to harness emotional intelligence, adapt your leadership style, and build unwavering confidence.

emerging leader

Emotional Intelligence

Enhance your self-awareness and empathy to better understand and manage both your own emotions and those of your team.

Situational Leadership

Adapt your leadership style to meet the needs of different team members and situations effectively.

Building & Sustaining Confidence

Develop the confidence required to lead with authority while maintaining humility and openness.

Managing Yourself

2. Building & Scaling Teams

Creating and scaling high-performing teams requires strategic planning and insight. Discover how to hire the right talent, manage diverse teams, and develop each member’s potential while handling tough decisions gracefully.

Hiring & Retaining High Performers

Learn effective strategies for attracting top talent and keeping them engaged and motivated within your organisation.

scalable leaders

Managing Remote & Hybrid Teams

Master the skills needed to manage and inspire teams that are geographically dispersed or working in hybrid arrangements.

scalable leaders

Developing People

Invest in your team's growth by identifying potential, providing development opportunities, and fostering career advancement.

senior leader

Letting People Go Without Burning Bridges

Handle the sensitive process of employee termination with professionalism and compassion to maintain positive relationships.

Feedback and expectaction

3. Feedback & Expectations

Clear communication of feedback and expectations is crucial for guiding your team to success. Master the art of managing upwards and providing constructive feedback that fosters growth and improvement.

managers

Managing Up

Build strong relationships with your superiors by understanding their expectations and effectively communicating your needs and achievements.

Daunting Challenges

Giving and Receiving Constructive Feedback

Create a culture of continuous improvement by learning how to provide actionable feedback and accept it graciously.

4. Culture & Conflict

Building a positive team culture and managing conflict effectively are pivotal aspects of leadership. Learn how to foster a safe, engaging environment and address disputes swiftly and fairly.

Fostering Psychological Safety

Establish an environment where team members feel safe to express ideas, take risks, and learn from mistakes without fear of negative consequences.

Managing Conflict

Address and resolve disputes within your team quickly and effectively to maintain harmony and productivity.

scalable leaders

Creating an Engaging Team Culture

Cultivate a positive, inclusive, and motivating team atmosphere that encourages collaboration and innovation.

For the latest schedule, please contact us.

Culture & Conflict

Who Is the Scalable Leaders Program Designed For?

This program is designed for both emerging and experienced tech leaders who are looking to enhance their leadership capabilities. Whether you're a team lead, manager, or director in the tech industry, our curriculum will provide you with the essential skills needed to effectively lead your technical teams.

Can My Company Sponsor My Participation in the Program?

Absolutely. Many companies recognise the value of investing in their leaders' development. We offer corporate packages and can provide the necessary documentation to facilitate sponsorship. Contact us for more details.

How Does the Personalised Coaching Component Work?

Personalised coaching involves one-on-one sessions with experienced leadership mentors. These sessions are tailored to address your specific challenges and goals, providing you with actionable feedback and strategies to enhance your leadership effectiveness.

Frequently asked questions

Scalable Leaders is designed to be the fastest way to level up as a Leader in Tech.

Why Choose Scalable Leaders?

Expert Instructors

Our faculty comprises industry veterans and thought leaders who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Proven Methodologies

Our curriculum is based on tried-and-tested leadership frameworks and the latest research in the field.

Flexible Learning

With both online and in-person options, our program is designed to fit into your busy schedule.

Testimonials

Ben really understands what drives and motivates people, and leads with integrity and candour. He has taught me the kind of leader I would like to be.

Cheryl Gledhill
Product Director at Culture Amp

Ben is someone who can very quickly understand problems to solve in any given difficult situation - presenting practical and feasible solutions by pulling from his own experiences and expertise. He is a leader by nature, and is able to motivate individuals to shine their brightest in their roles.

Suzy Hur
Head of Product at Before You Bid

Ben really understands what drives and motivates people, and leads with integrity and candour. He has taught me the kind of leader I would like to be.

Cheryl Gledhill
Product Director at Culture Amp

Ben is someone who can very quickly understand problems to solve in any given difficult situation - presenting practical and feasible solutions by pulling from his own experiences and expertise. He is a leader by nature, and is able to motivate individuals to shine their brightest in their roles.

Suzy Hur
Head of Product at Before You Bid

I'm getting the confidence and conviction out of the coaching for the work I'm doing. I'm also getting really good ways to frame concepts and the work that I do - in short the language you use is powerful for my internal comms and helps make me more efficient in working with others.

Sarah Maloof
Head of Product & Strategy at Link Market Services

Ben is an accomplished team leader. He is a generous and patient mentor and coach for his team, which has seen him significantly increase engagement and productivity in the team even in challenging circumstances.

Colette Grgic
Head of Startup Ecosystem, AU & NZ at Amazon Web Services

Ben has a broad range of experience from running his own company to leading agile development teams in large enterprises. I could always trust Ben to provide frank and straightforward advice, free from encumbrances.

Sebastien Eckersley-Maslin
CEO at Phyllome

The reason people stay loyal to a company is because of real and authentic leadership. A lot of leaders aspire to that, however, with Ben, it is practised and embodied in everything he does. I am really grateful for all the guidance, support, trust and belief he had in me which helped me to grow.

Renee
Lead Designer & Interim Product Director at Known