Influencing Without Authority: Lessons from A Project Manager Turned CIO

Engaging Leadership

Summary:

Shannon Thomas, VP of Technology at Hennepin Technical College, joins Dr. Jim to chat about leading an IT team without a traditional technical background. Shannon shares her journey from project management to CIO, emphasizing building credibility, fostering a culture of trust, and focusing on quick wins and relationship-building. She also discusses the significance of prioritizing people skills in management roles, offering insights into team development and retention. Tune in for leadership lessons on moving from survival mode to strategic growth, creating a high-performance team in the IT space.

Key Takeaways:

• Relationship Building: Establishing strong connections and understanding team motivations are crucial for effective leadership without deep technical expertise.
• Quick Wins: Prioritizing easy, high-impact projects can quickly build credibility and provide momentum for longer-term initiatives.
• Trust and Empowerment: Trusting technical experts within the team and empowering them to take ownership can lead to higher engagement and better performance.
• Focus on People: Hiring for leadership skills and cultural fit rather than just technical ability ensures a more cohesive and forward-thinking team.

Chapters:

00:00

Building Credibility and High Performance Teams in IT Leadership

09:18

Strategic Planning and Overcoming Team Challenges

13:31

Hiring for Leadership and Aptitude Over Technical Skills

17:02

Empowering Teams Through Failure and Collaborative Problem-Solving

20:29

Transforming Workplace Culture to Enhance Employee Retention

26:08

Lessons in Leadership and Quick Wins for Organizational Change

Connect with Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Shannon Thomas: linkedin.com/in/shannon-rm-thomas-mba

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda

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Mentioned in this episode:

Engaging Leadership Intro

Engaging Leadership Outro