Becoming the leader you can be, in a changed technology industry

84% of leaders reported significant role changes in recent years, with broader responsibilities and increased direct reports

Major shifts in time allocation: 28% of leaders spend at least 30% of their time differently than before, focusing more on hands-on work and less on people development

Key strategies for navigating uncertainty:

• Build strong “managing up” skills through regular communication and business alignment
• Connect teams to the bigger picture and help them find agency
• Create clear team visions and revisit processes/rituals
• Develop community and peer support networks

Industry challenges:

• Rapid pursuit of AI and other tech trends without proper consideration of risks
• Reduced focus on talent development and culture in tight markets
• Increased workloads and broader responsibilities without additional support
• Growing concerns about job security and organizational changes

Leadership recommendations:

• Don’t blindly follow industry hypes - evaluate business value and risks
• Invest in “soft skills” and mentoring capabilities
• Focus on ethical considerations and impact of technical decisions
• Build workplaces that treat people with respect despite market conditions

Growth opportunities have shifted:

• Traditional career progression paths are less clear
• Need to get creative with development in resource-constrained environments
• Focus on building transferable skills like stakeholder management
• Look for learning opportunities in broader role responsibilities

Software development requires stronger focus on representation and ethics:

• Consider impacts on privacy, security, and social issues
• Acknowledge technology’s role in discrimination and environmental impact
• Take responsibility for decision-making around user data and product impacts