The Secrets of Transformative Leadership in Tech

We thrive when we surround ourselves with incredible people. With the amazing individuals in my circle, like my friends, who are deep thinkers, I'm constantly inspired.

Recently, Diana Cano joined me on an episode of Leaders with Leverage. Diana is an IT executive and author of Management Is Not Rocket Science... It's Just Physics. Her goal is to transform technology managers into innovation leaders. Diana combines engineering principles with business acumen to offer unique leadership insights that foster collaboration and engagement.

One key takeaway from our conversation was Diana's perspective on framing. She emphasized that setting clear expectations is crucial for effective leadership, guiding conversations to ensure everyone understands the journey and destination.

Diana shared three actionable tips for leading impactful meetings:

1. Put the Last Slide First: Start with your recommendation and rationale to clarify the goal from the beginning.

2. Don't Be Afraid to Open the Can of Worms: Embrace complexities and address tricky issues head-on to find the best solutions.

3. Create the Story in Your Close: End with a compelling narrative to ensure alignment and a shared vision.

Her stories are filled with lessons in leadership, change management, and effective communication, illustrating how to turn challenges into opportunities for collaboration and progress.

Diana also provided insights on what she has experienced that technical leaders should stop, start, and continue to make a meaningful shift in their leadership journey:

• Stop engaging in one-on-one conversations that lead to analysis paralysis. Instead, foster collective decision-making.
• Start setting deadlines or using catalysts to push towards decisions, creating urgency and momentum.
• Continue emphasizing the "why" and the "what" in discussions to align interests and focus on shared goals.

Adopting a Negotiator Mindset™ is essential for leveraging strategies with the deepest impact, whether you're in sales, engineering, or any other field. This mindset opens doors to new opportunities and professional growth.

If you want to hear more from Diana, check out the full podcast available at Leaders with Leverage on the platform where you find your podcasts or follow the links below. 

Want to listen to this episode in full on my podcast episode?

Go here to listen to the full episode.

For additional resources on how to adopt a negotiator mindset, check out negotiationlove.com to connect with Susie.

Let's make every negotiation a step towards success!