Thank you to @Sheri Pollock for suggesting this topic. She asked, “What did you like most/dislike most about leading an organization and its people?” I’m going to start with a few of my favorite things, and I will tackle my least favorite things in a later article.

My number one favorite thing is the people, including leading them.

If you read the previous article on my secret sauce, you know that I began my career in IT because of a degree in Computer Science, and I quickly learned that I liked the people part the most. I loved helping the technology and functional teams understand each other and helping my team accomplish the work. Those themes lasted throughout my entire 30+ year corporate career and are still present in my work today as a consultant and coach.

Later in my career, I would grow to like leading people. I outgrew my shy, quiet nature and gained the confidence to lead. Once I started, I loved it. In my role as an IT executive, I received great fulfillment from educating the business groups on the value of technology, from creating an environment where professionals of all types could discover and embrace their “secret sauces”, and from encouraging IT teams to view their roles as enablers and vital parts of the business.

It took some time for me to realize that I had a viewpoint that the other C-Suite executives didn’t have.

I enjoyed the vantage point afforded from an IT leadership role. As IT professionals, we sit in what I call the “catbird seat”. If we can pause long enough to look around, we can see across the entire organization. We see how it’s connected, as well as where it’s not connected and should be. IT often introduced fellow business groups to one another to start a conversation on synergies and opportunities.

Today my work as an executive coach and business consultant still centers on people. My greatest fulfillment comes from sharing my experience, lessons learned, and perspective – and seeing an “aha” moment happen for a fellow leader. I love to help others through supporting and challenging them to be their best, whatever they decide to pursue. I also still love leading, and I find other outlets in the non-profit world to satisfy that passion.

In my experience, if you want to be a great leader you must have an understanding and passion for the people. It can be learned, but it is not optional.

A few questions to ponder as I close:

What more can you do to make sure you have the appropriate focus on the people you lead?

What makes the people part of your organization “hum”?

How can you facilitate better outcomes through people?

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