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Are You the Type of Leader That Top Talent Wants to Follow?

Are You the Type of Leader That Top Talent Wants to Follow?

It’s often said that great leaders credit their teams for success while taking personal responsibility for failure. This is good advice, and fortunately, I see this demonstrated more and more. Most would assume that the first part of that formula is the result of humility which could be either authentic or feigned. Sometimes leaders can appear like an actor giving an Oscar acceptance speech. There are lights, cameras, and celebrities giving you their undivided attention and admiration. Then out of…

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I’m Not a Control Freak, but I Am an Alignment Freak

I’m Not a Control Freak, but I Am an Alignment Freak

As a technology leader, I often get asked, “Zach, what keeps you up at night?” People ask me this to derive my priorities, but it’s an odd way to do that. It’s an extreme question if taken literally. As an executive, should I lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling, riddled with anxiety and inner conflict? I hope not. Also, the question is somewhat rhetorical. I think people expect me to answer with a major high-stress project, digital disruption,…

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So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance, Part 2: Selling Technology in the New IT Hierarchy

So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance, Part 2: Selling Technology in the New IT Hierarchy

Four years ago, I published one of the most popular articles I’ve ever written: So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance: The Joy of Buying Technology. I repost it from time to time and continue to draw reactions. Since four years have passed, I thought I might be due for a follow-up article on the subject of the buy-sell dynamic in enterprise technology. In this article, I’m not going to discuss annoying sales tactics and gimmicks. I’ve covered that before….

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Hey Tech Leaders! Looking for Financial Efficiencies? Look Here.

Hey Tech Leaders! Looking for Financial Efficiencies? Look Here.

Last week, I wrote about the importance of financial competency for every leader. I covered the subject broadly and taught several principles that are applicable to everyone. If you missed that article, go back and read it, then continue on. Today’s article is about financial efficiency. I like being efficient in everything I do. I work very hard to be efficient with my time. I’ve learned how to systematically create process efficiency through Lean. Finally, I naturally enjoy being efficient…

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Leaders Must Have Command of Their Finances

Leaders Must Have Command of Their Finances

Usually on this blog, I write about the human side of leadership. I write about the importance of caring for people on your team, serving them, casting a vision, and leading boldly into the future. That is the sort of thing that gets me up in the morning. I’ve never written about the “joy” of spending countless hours pouring over hundreds of lines in spreadsheets and financial management systems. I haven’t expressed to my readers the importance of understanding depreciation,…

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The Load Balancer with the Candlestick in the Server Room

The Load Balancer with the Candlestick in the Server Room

I used to directly hire a lot of technical talent. Now, that’s mostly done by my management team. When I did that, I asked a behavioral interview question that went something like this: “Tell me about a time when you were called upon to solve a high-pressure and complex technical issue where the solution was not immediately obvious.” The answers I got were usually pretty telling. Typically, this question elicits a bit of a pained smile, as if I just…

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Everything Will Make Sense When I Am Older: The Wisdom of Deferring Decisions

Everything Will Make Sense When I Am Older: The Wisdom of Deferring Decisions

I am the proud father of four children ranging in ages from 6 to 14. I’ve seen more than my fair share of animated movies and the soundtracks that accompany them. My youngest child, Elizabeth, is a big fan of the Frozen movies. There is a silly song in Frozen 2 that makes me think. Olaf is one of the most beloved characters in the Frozen series. He is a snowman that is alive thanks to Elsa’s magical powers. He…

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Bringing Donuts into the Office on September 11, 2001

Bringing Donuts into the Office on September 11, 2001

I brought donuts into the office on September 11, 2001. I brought them in, but no one ate them. I eventually tossed them in the garbage. There are many stories from that fateful day. My story isn’t particularly unusual, but it’s mine, and I remember it well. 19 year ago Back then, I was a young professional, less than three years into my career. I got married the year before and we had just purchased our first house a few…

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Tech Leaders: Do You Live in the Smart Home of the Future or Little House on the Prairie?

Tech Leaders: Do You Live in the Smart Home of the Future or Little House on the Prairie?

At work, I’m known for my love of advanced technology. I enjoy being on the cutting edge. I’m an early adopter of everything new. I volunteer to be among the first to try out the new tech, even when the bugs need to be worked out. I like to play with smart boards, mixed reality, tablet computers, mobile apps, and collaboration tech. I also push hard on our pursuit of cloud technology. Because of this reputation, people often make the…

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Elevate Your Thinking: Tips to Gain a Higher Perspective

Elevate Your Thinking: Tips to Gain a Higher Perspective

Have you ever been told that you need to “elevate your thinking?” What does this mean? Why is my current thinking not elevated? How does elevated thinking differ from what I’m currently doing? Is this just management-speak, or does it really matter? In this article, I will answer these questions from my perspective. When I write my articles, I picture my readers as somewhere in the middle of a complex hierarchical organization. You have people that report to you. You…

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