Lessons in IT Transformation: Technology Expert to Business Leader

Being Receptive to Feedback

Good leaders are receptive to feedback. Their people aren't afraid to tell them bad news for fear of retribution. One of the biggest challenges a leader has when moving up the organization chart is that he becomes farther separated from the real world of customers and issues. Leaders must keep a finger on the pulse of what is happening at a grassroots level. Although part of the solution is to remain engaged with customers, another part is having the members of your team who are living in this reality day in and day out be willing to share with you how your program is playing in Peoria.

People know that I literally and figuratively have an open door. As an aside, I once worked for a woman who said she had an open-door policy. However, her door was always closed, and even when it was open she had situated her office with the back of her chair to the door so she didn't have to see you coming. People know that it's more important to tell me what I need to hear than what I want to hear. A leader knows he is in trouble when he finds himself surrounded by yes men and women telling him how brilliant he is. If people think I'm brilliant, I've obviously chosen the wrong people! As a leader, you must be in touch with the real world. There is no better way to do this than by having a reputation as someone who welcomes the truth.