In May I highlighted some of the WTIA team’s top accomplishment over the past 3 years, and this month I’m sharing some insights gained about leadership during my time here.

There’s something very powerful about the process of transitioning. While moving through my daily goals and activities, I’ve also been reflecting holistically on the experience that’s wrapping up. What did I learn? What might I share with the new CEO (I won’t sidetrack us here, but rumor has it that there are some fantastic folks in the running—exciting!)

My leadership take-aways from the WTIA are big in their importance of driving change.  Many of these are common guidelines but nevertheless tough to consistently apply.  Here’s the principles that were most fundamental to our successful outcomes over the past 3 years . . .

• Leadership is a conversation.  Stay in it with your staff, your Board and your customers and be consistent over time.  Given the constituency of the WTIA, which is enormous, this stayed true whether it was applied to a 10 person staff, a 40 person board or a 500 company member base.  The best conversations involve a genuine exchange of ideas while still heading to a conclusion, one that may not have been previously conceived.
• Fix the fundamental things 1^st.  No amount of strategy or marketing can overcome an inability to execute.  Get the right people in place and arm them with the best tools to efficiently get their jobs done.
• Make accountability king and start with yourself.  When things go wrong for your team, share the blame.  Never let a “me vs them” thought drive your behavior.
• Do the right thing.  Keep the consequences of your actions top of mind in spite of how you might feel.
• Always give credit where it’s due, when it’s due.  To the extent possible recognize people for good performance as close to delivery of it as possible and expand the recognition up the food chain so even the Board hears the name(s) of those who are delivering the value for the organization at any level.  We all desire to be acknowledged—be the leader that generates genuine praise whenever it’s warranted.
• Don’t hesitate to use and employ the word love in your business context.  This one’s big—warrants an entire blog.  In short, it’s passion coupled with conducting oneself in a way that cares for people and has them *get* that transformational journeys are encouraged at the same time that business performance is absolutely required.
• Practice, practice, practice—this is not an “it comes with you” skill.  It’s something that has to be developed over time and continuously practiced.  Think 10,000 hours.

The WTIA is a phenomenal place to be a leader because it touches an amazing constituency in our state and carries the torch for some of its biggest challenges. I passionately believe in the mission of the WTIA, and am grateful to have played a role in the success of representing our industry while working alongside some of the best technology leaders in Washington.

There’s much more to come so stay tuned for leadership news from WTIA over the coming weeks.

Best to all.

~Susan