Written by Joseph Sattout – Head of Establishment(HR) and Delivery at Excite IT
Starting my career in the IT industry as a Technical Courier at the age of 22 immediately after completing my studies, it was always my destiny to be close to technology considering that I have had a passion for technology since I was at least 6 where I broke, then rebuilt my first PC.. multiple times! My parents eventually had gotten used to the idea that any computer they would purchase in the future would be scarcely available, either being broken, repaired or just being ‘tested for flaws’ by their technologically-curious son…
It was not long before I became the “go-to whizz kid”, the 7 year old shy kid who could fix anything to do with computers. I remember being dragged to various family and friends’ houses, so my parents could have coffee with them whilst I was in the background fixing some sort of computer issue. From this time, my parents always knew (and I guess at the time I knew also) that I was always going to work in what eventually formed the Information Technology Industry. What I and they did not know was this shy, introverted kid who got bullied his whole school career would develop a passion for not only IT but Management and Leadership.
At the IT outsourcing Giants Unisys – my first place of employment in the IT industry, I had a great manager and mentor who believed that I had heart, and demonstrated the willingness to help people which translated to potential leadership qualities. Well 2 years in, I was appointed a Team Leader and given the responsibility of leading those who I worked alongside for such a long time and considered friends! Yes – it was as daunting as it sounds!
Being thrust into leadership at a young age meant I learnt a heck of a lot along the way and 9 years on, after being recently appointed as Head of Delivery and Establishment (HR) at Excite IT – there are a few key things that come to mind; in hindsight I would have done them differently.
So, what have I learnt?
You are only Human!
Yes we are all Human, and you will make mistakes! Do NOT let these mistakes define who you are, they will only hold you back. Embrace every failure. Own it, learn from it, and take full responsibility for making sure that next time, things will turn out differently.
“Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have… Life itself.” ― Walter Anderson
You Need to Care! Heart!
Leadership is about people. Period. Great leadership is about inspiring people, serving people, caring for people, and caring about people. You have to tell them you care. Showing you care about your direct reports will lead to a more positive and productive work environment. You’ll be better able to motivate and influence your people because those who know their managers care about them are motivated and work more effectively.
I know I would not be where I am today, without my manager at Unisys and the fact he actually cared! I would potentially be locked away in some IT basement (like in the IT crowd TV show) with my head buried in a server, instead of breathing in fresh air and enjoying the daily interactions with my colleagues and facing the day to day challenges together.
Have Character!
To be a great leader or a great team member, you have to have character: honesty, integrity, respect for others, and selflessness.
“There’s an old saying that adversity doesn’t create character, it reveals it” words from the great UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden.
Have Courage
I think it goes without saying, leaders must have courage. It’s very hard to be a leader. It’s a lot easier to be a follower. It’s a lot easier to let someone else own the problem or make the decision. It’s a lot harder to stand up, speak up and be accountable.
This was the hardest lesson I learnt, when making the transition from employee to manager…. Learn this, and you are destined to be a great leader!
Create a common purpose!
I’ve probably read a few too many books, blogs, etc. on management over the past several years, but the following piece of advice resonated with me:
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men (sic) to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea,”
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery, a French writer and aviator.
Books will often tell you good management is about the right operating model and getting your structure right. Good leadership, however, is about creating a sense of shared purpose within the team. There simply is no substitute for having a clear vision; it is this common purpose that allows a team to gel, even if they don’t always see eye-to-eye.
Balance!
Finally – go to the gym, play soccer, read that book, see the people that mean the most to you, and remember be kind to those around you. Do the things that give you your balance; I have learnt that these are the things I need to do, to give me mine.
Giving is contagious, Giving is good for your health, Giving provides a sense of reality – and ultimately with Giving comes balance. I can testify to this, being involved in charity work on the weekends where we would feed the homeless, visit elderly people in nursing homes, etc. not only did this give me a sense of reality, it felt good to make a difference but ultimately it brought perspective.
We as human are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on our long-term moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community. – Paul Bloom
It is my responsibility as the Head of Establishment, and Delivery to open up avenues in the coming months for Excite IT employees to get involved with the community and embedding the theme of giving into our Company Culture!
Have Courage and Be Kind!
– Joseph
