What Is the Worst Thing an IT Leader Does That Damages Productivity?

By Helene Segura, M.A. Ed., CPO® | July 11, 2024 |

A technology journalist writing about IT Leaders recently posed several questions. I’ve included them below, along with my answers:

  1. What’s the worst thing an IT leader does that actually damages team productivity?

Implementing a new platform without basing it on team, department or company needs, as well as not providing pre-implementation communication.

  1. What makes this action so counter-productive?

If an IT leader hears about a fantastic new technology that will change the way teams do business, but this new platform doesn’t address needs and/or frustrations that team members have shared, team members often interpret this as “our leadership doesn’t care what we think” when the platform gets rolled out. This negative perception builds up a psychological wall toward learning the new technology and also lowers morale, both of which slow productivity.

Additionally, if an IT leader does not provide pre-implementation communication such as how to prepare for the implementation (ex: backing up data, projects and previous communication), what the roll-out plan is, what the contingency plans are if things don’t go according to plan, and training/onboarding for the new platform prior to the roll-out, this usually leads to a big time loss from confused or frustrated team members sending multiple requests for help all while not being able to get their work done.

  1. What would be a better approach?

*Assess the team’s needs – what’s working or not working and why?

*Select the new platform or procedure based on the needs.

*Announce to everyone:

what is going to be implemented

which needs in the assessment will be addressed by this

when this will happen

when/where the onboarding will take place

how to prepare (in addition to the onboarding)

when/how to get support before, during and after the roll-out

 

These principles aren’t limited to IT leaders. Anyone in a leadership position will benefit from following these best practices.

 

 

 

For tips on how to support team productivity whether you’re an IT Leader or not, browse The Inefficiency Assassin: Time Management Tactics for Working Smarter, Not Longer.

About Helene Segura, M.A. Ed., CPO®

As The Inefficiency Assassin™, Time Management Fixer Helene Segura empowers professionals on the go with the tools to slay lost time. Personal inefficiency at work leads to increased stress levels, lower morale, higher absenteeism, more turnover – and rising spending on employee health care and hiring. Why not improve productivity, decrease stress levels, and increase profits instead?The author of four books – two of which were Amazon best-sellers – Helene Segura has been the featured organization expert in more than 200 media interviews. She has coached hundreds of clients to productivity success and performance improvement by applying neuroscience and behavioral modification techniques to wipe out destructive, time-wasting habits.Helene turns time management on its head by sharing both client case studies and pop culture examples to teach her mind-bending framework for decreasing interruptions, distractions and procrastination so that companies can spend more time generating revenue.

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