The Qualities of a Great IT Leader
Posted September 12th, 2016
In today’s business environment, IT leaders are more important than ever, now having a place in the C-suite. The job is a demanding one – directing the company in what technology to buy to meet its strategic plans, as well as overseeing a team of people responsible for putting that technology to use.
What makes a successful IT leader? Being a leader in IT is different from other fields. IT leaders need to have very specific skills and knowledge, yet they also have to know how to direct a team of people, and for that they need to have the so-called soft skills.
Here are five of the crucial skills that all IT leaders need to have.
1. IT leaders are continually learning.
This is crucial in an industry like information technology. Even after they have reached a leadership position, IT leaders continue their education, mastering new skills and earning new certificates. They make the time to attend classes or take online courses, to keep up with new coding languages, for example.
2. They know how to delegate.
IT leaders surround themselves with people who complement their strengths and weaknesses. In areas where they are not the most skilled, they find people who are.
3. They create a supportive environment
They encourage their people to be creative, innovative, to take risks, to think differently. Leaders know this increases chances for failure, but they let their people know that failure is part of the process in the pursuit of new breakthroughs. They set an example by focusing not on the failure, but what can be learned from the failure, and the value of resilience and perseverance.
4. They know how to solve problems.
This is one of the strengths of IT leaders. They are problem solvers. If problem solving is not one of their big strengths, leaders find someone who is good at problem solving to put on their team.
5. They know how to laugh
This may not be a skill that first comes to mind when you think of IT, but a good sense of humor is a must for IT leaders. They know humor is important in maintaining morale and as a stress reliever. Humor is especially important in an area like IT that has its share of surprises and can be very demanding. Humor can lighten the mood and take the pressure off for a while, giving your team the time to regain their footing.
If you have leadership qualities, and are looking for a job where you can use them, Bayside Solutions can help you. We specialize in finding people for technology-related jobs. We will take the time to work with you, to learn about you, so that we can match you with the job that fits your skills and experience. Give Bayside a call today.
