FAQ — Technical Leadership and Management

The following are questions about technical leadership and management that have been submitted by our clients and subscribers. Click on a question (or question category) to view recommendations and suggestions from The Techie Leadership Coach.

Roles and Responsibilities
	What exactly is a techie? »
	What makes a techie unique, i.e., different from other employees? »
	What are my primary roles and responsibilities as a techie leader? »
	What is my most important role as a techie leader?
	What types of uncertainties or ambiguities could affect my performance and/or that of my team(s)?

Leadership/Management Style
	Do I need to adjust my leadership/management style where techies are concerned? »
	What are the things I need to do first as a new techie leader/manager? »
	What if someone refuses to do what I ask?
	How should I handle a team member who challenges me or my ideas in public?
	How do I develop my ability to delegate (work through others to make them and me more productive)?

Transition into Leadership
	How do I personally reconcile (in my own mind) my shift in role, perspective, responsibilities, etc.? »
	How do I communicate this shift to my prior peers and teammates, so they will recognize, accept, and buy into my new role? »
	How do I deal with animosity or jealousy that arises as a result of my promotion?
	How do I manage my friends without alienating them?
	How do I establish, exercise, and maintain my new authority?
	What personal behaviors (e.g., dress, language, manner, etc.) do I need to change now that I'm a [manager | team leader]?

Ethics
	What does the term "business ethics" mean? »
	How do "business ethics" differ from "personal ethics" (if at all)? »
	Do I have to be concerned about business ethics? Why, or why not? »
	I don't feel comfortable with some of the business practices I see being employed in my company. What can I do?
	What should I do when I know one of my associates (or someone reporting to me) is lying or doing something dishonest?
	How do I promote ethical behavior without sounding like a cleric or someone's mother?
	What can I do if I'm not sure whether or not a course of action is ethical?

Communication and Presentation
Communication
	Why do I want/need to be a liaison between my techies and everyone else? »
	What makes me an effective liaison? »
	How do I develop the skills needed to become an effective liaison?
	What do I do if my comments or suggestions are being misinterpreted or misconstrued?
	How do I converse with clients in a constructive manner?
	What sorts of things are likely to alienate clients?
	How can I communicate with non-techies in a way they will understand?
	How do I know I'm communicating effectively with someone (whether techie or non-techie)?
	My boss and I don't seem to be communicating very well. What can I do?
Presentation
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Credibility, Influence, and "Managing Up"
Credibility
	What makes a person credible? »
	How do I know whether or not I'm seen as credible by my co-workers, managers, and clients?
	How do I build credibility in the eyes of senior management?
	What can I do to gain the respect of my peers, and those whom I lead, and build greater credibility with them?
Influence and Power
	What factors make one person more influential than another? »
	How do I influence senior/executive management?
	How do I influence my peers?
	How do I influence those whom I lead (direct reports, other team members, etc.)?
Managing Up
	How do I have a productive conversation with executive/senior management? »
	How do I raise concerns without sounding negative or non-supportive?
	How do I handle "end [around] runs" both up and down the management chain?
	How do I promote and secure commitment by individual team members?
	How do I promote and secure commitment by senior management?
	How do I get people to listen to my ideas and/or take me seriously?

Time Management
	Why should time management be of importance to technical people and organizations? »
	Why is managing time such a problem for most technical people? »
	What types of time management should be of concern to me as a leader?
	How do I recognize time management issues and challenges that may be affecting the individuals in my group(s)?
	What factors contribute to and are often the root causes of poor time management?
	How can I promote time management in a positive light?
	What tips can you offer for improving my time management skills?
	How do I get out of the office at a reasonable hour?
	How do I support my staff and/or team members in working overtime without always having to be present?
	How do I improve my and my team's efforts to manage time horizons?

Teambuilding and Teamwork
	How does a team differ from a work group? »
	What factors make for an effective team? »
	What is a "high-performance team?" How do I build one?
	How do I get all team members to pull in the same direction?
	What contributes to team unity and loyalty?
	How do I maintain positive morale among my team members in times of stress?

Compensation and Rewards
	How and when should I reward positive behavior and accomplishment? »
	With companies economizing, how can I reward employees in creative ways that don't require a significant financial investment?
	How do I address adjustments in employee compensation (raises, bonuses, etc.)?
	What happens when one of my people is maxed out on the salary scale for his/her position?
	Should I reward contractors/consultants? If so, how and when?

People Development and Retention
	What can I, as a techie leader, do to further develop the potential of my people? »
	What is a good definition of technical competence? »
	How do I gauge the competence of my people?
	How do I assess personal productivity in my team members?
	How can I help someone develop his/her ability to multi-task?
	How do I help my techies develop their ability to describe their work in business terms?
	How do I help my people learn to forge compromises between business and technical constraints?
	How do I help my techies develop their ability to manage client relationships?
	How do I create an environment that promotes creativity (without alienating senior management)?

Conflict Management
	What should I do when a co-worker lies? »
	What should I do if two or more of my team members get into an argument during a meeting? »
	Two of my team members continually argue. It's annoying and disruptive. What should I do?
	How do I handle a bully?
	What can I do to encourage a shy person to speak up in meetings?
	What should I do when someone yells at me?
	When my boss makes decisions I cannot support, what should/can I do about it?
	One of my employees is a whiner who takes up a lot of my time. What should/can I do about him/her?
	I'm getting sick of always compromising to keep the peace. What should/can I do to achieve a better result?
	One of my peers is always "kissing up" to management and taking credit for my ideas. What can I do?

Facilitation and Collaboration
Facilitation
	What is facilitation? »
	I just tell people what I want them to do and they do it. What's the problem? »
Collaboration
	What is collaboration? How is it different from compromise? »

Business and Business Savvy
	How can I best contribute to the success of my organization? »
	How much do I really need to know about business in order to lead technical people? How important is it? »
	What factors determine techie productivity?
	What (if any) additional demands do these productivity factors place on techies?
	What do I, my people, and/or my organization gain from participating in industry standards committee work?

Politics and Political Savvy
	What is corporate politics? »
	How important are politics when leading technical people? »
	How do I assess the political landscape within my organization?
	Whom do I need to pay attention to within my organization and why?
	Who establishes the rules concerning corporate/company politics?
	Are there any "unwritten rules" concerning politics and power that I should know about? Do these rules differ for men and women?
	What myths (if any) exist about corporate politics?
	What does the phrase political capital mean? Do I need it?
	What are my options if I don't like something that is going on in my organization?
	Any suggestions on how to improve my "image" within my organization and/or industry?
	Whom should I go to lunch with?
	How do I know when to refrain from making comments or suggestions?
	Why should I bother with company/corporate politics?
	How do I and my people develop our ability to play positive politics?

Networking and Building Relationships
	Is it possible to maintain friendships with my team members? »
	Why do I have to worry about visibility within and outside my organization? »
	Who should I get to know in my organization? Why?
	How will developing contacts and relationships outside my group, department, division, organization, and/or industry help me be more successful as a leader?
	How do my people and I help expand client relationships?

Feedback and Reporting Status
	What constitutes feedback and why is it important to give/get it? »
	What's the best way to get information from my people, without tying them up with formal reports and/or paperwork?

Planning
	What sorts of planning do I need to do to stay on top of things? »
	Do my plans have to be in writing? If so, why?
	Who needs to be involved in my planning activities?
	Who needs to see/review my plans?

Interviewing and Hiring
	How do I set the proper title for a new position? »
	Do I need a job description? If so, how do I write one? »
	How do I go about searching for good job candidates?
	How do I find out about compensation standards/norms for positions in my locale?
	How can I conduct a successful interview? What should I look for in possible candidates?
	What questions should I ask in an interview?
	How should I select members for an interview team?
	How much do I need to know about the details of benefits being offered by my organization?
	What are my options if a candidate is qualified, but I have a feeling that person is not right for the job or for my team?
	Is an offer a firm commitment? If I back out of an offer, can my company or I be sued?
	How much do I have to explain to a candidate about stock options?

Consultants and Contractors
	Under what circumstances is it better to hire a contractor than an employee? And the reverse? »
	How do I find good contractors [consultants]? What's the best way to contact them? »
	What should I expect from an outside contractor [consultant]?
	What should a contractor [consultant] be able to expect from me and my organization?
	Why do contractors [consultants] charge so much?
	When is a contractor [consultant] NOT the right choice?

Performance and Appraisals
	How do I measure performance/success (i.e., of individuals, teams, department, my division, projects, etc.)? »
	How do I do a performance review? »
	How do I measure ROI (return on investment)?
	Should I rank performance? If so, how?
	What does performance enhancement mean in a technical environment, with technical people?
	How do I promote better performance?
	How do I promote creativity while improving performance?
	How important is environment to improving and maintaining good performance?
	What parts do environment and culture play in techie performance?
	How do I promote the development of a positive and productive techie culture?
	How do I motivate my people to improve performance?
	What motivates technical people?
	What demotivates technical people?

Disciplinary Action and Firing
	What sorts of discipline are important to maintain? How? »
	When is disciplinary action necessary? Why? »
	How do I administer discipline fairly and effectively?
	How do I fire or transfer a person who seems indispensable to the success of a project?
	How long do I wait before putting someone on a performance plan?
	Who should be involved in a disciplinary course of action? Why?
	What sorts of disciplinary action (if any) are appropriate and effective with technical people?
	How do I handle putting a friend on a performance plan?
	What constitutes sexual harassment?
	How do I talk to someone about sexual harassment? What sorts of follow-up are necessary and prudent?
	How do I recognize and deal with a "bully?"
	What to do when someone makes threats towards you, another employee or consultant, or your organization?
	Who should be "walked out?" Why?

Legal Matters NOTE: Responses to the following questions are for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional legal advice.
	When is a contract necessary? »
	Can/should I draft contracts and agreements? »
	Who needs to review/sign contracts?
	When is a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) necessary? Where do I get one?
	What does an NDA really buy me?
	What do I do if a vendor or employee violates an NDA?
	What is intellectual property (IP)? »
	Is it possible to lose the rights to my (or my organization's) intellectual property? If so, how?

Goalsetting and Action Planning
	Why are goals so important? »
	What factors are important to consider when defining goals? »
	How do I facilitate the setting of appropriate goals?
	What is a SMART goal?
	Why are SMART goals better?
	How many goals should I define at any given time?
	Should I define the goals for my people and groups?
	How often should goals be reviewed?
	What is an action plan and why is it important? »
	What are the key elements of an action plan?
	What are some Dos and Don'ts when preparing an action plan?

Security
	How strict should I be about security? »
	How can security be compromised?

Negotiation
	Why do I need to know how to negotiate? »
	What makes a negotiation successful? »
	What sorts of skills are useful when negotiating?
	What special considerations should be taken into account when negotiating with vendors?
	What special considerations are likely to be of concern to clients during a negotiation?
	What role should/can the role of techies be during a negotiation with clients?
	How do I find out who are the best vendors for materials, equipment, or other resources?
	How do I get vendors to deliver on (keep) their promises?

Budgets and Financials
	What comprises a budget? »
	What is the value of a budget? »
	Do I need a formal budget? If so, why?
	How do I create a budget? Where do I acquire the information?

Project and Program Management
	What's the difference between a project and a program? »
	What is expected of a project [program] manager? »
	What is "throw it over the wall" syndrome and how should I address it?
	What do I tell management when we really don't know how long a project will take and at what cost?
	How do I write a functional requirements document?
	How do I write a technical design document?
	How do I scope a project or program vs. a task or an activity?
	How do I determine what sort of outside help I need for a project?
	How do I estimate project costs?
	What is the Agile methodology for performance enhancement of teams?

Client Management
	How should I handle an irate client/customer? »

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