Building Teams, Relationships, And Culture In It: The Softer Side Of Tech

Craig Poley, Chief Information Officer, City of Arvada

Craig Poley, Chief Information Officer, City of Arvada

Craig Poley is an accomplished technology leader with over 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors. A visionary and culture builder, Craig excels in legacy modernization, IT governance, cybersecurity, and strategic planning. He has built his reputation on challenging the status quo and identifying transformative technologies ahead of the curve.

Through this article, Craig points out that the success of an IT team relies not just on advanced technology but on strong team dynamics, diversity, communication, and culture.

Let’s take a moment to dive into the softer side of IT: building teams, relationships, and culture. Because even the most advanced technology and best planning can’t fix a broken team dynamic.

The Myth of the Lone Genius

First things first: let’s address the myth of the lone genius. Strong, smart leaders are critical to a successful technology team, but IT is a team sport. It’s more like a relay race than a solo marathon. And just like in a relay race, if one person drops the baton, the whole team stumbles. It shouldn’t be the leader behind a closed door that’s doing the dropping. Engage and empower your team. Clear the roadblocks they encounter and get out of their way.

Building a Dream Team

So, how do you build a dream team? Start with diversity. Bringing together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills adds strength and versatility. A team of clones might get along famously, but they’ll also miss the same blind spots. A diverse team can support each other’s weaknesses and help each other grow. As the leader, it’s critical to support everyone, and that includes addressing low performers. Look for improvement plans but take the necessary steps when they are needed. Nothing impacts the morale of a high performer like management ignoring a low performer.

The Art of Relationship-Building

In IT, we’re often so focused on tech that it’s commonplace to forget about the people behind the screens. Building strong relationships is key to a high-functioning team. It starts with communication. Email or instant messages are great for a quick question or check-in, but honest, face-to-face (or at least videoto- video) conversations are much more effective.

“Building strong relationships is key to a highfunctioning team. It starts with communication. Email or instant messages are great for a quick question or check-in, but honest, face-to-face (or at least video-to-video) conversations are much more effective “

Creating a Strong Culture

A strong team culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s cultivated and starts at the top. As a leader, your attitude and actions set the tone for the entire team. Encourage curiosity. Celebrate failures as learning opportunities. Foster an environment where it’s safe to take risks and try new things. Give your team the freedom to explore new ideas without the pressure of immediate results. Sometimes the best innovations come from the craziest ideas.

Be vulnerable, stable, supportive, and honest, and your team will begin to give that energy back to you and others. And don’t be afraid to jump into the trenches when an incident comes up. When we received the now-infamous Crowdstrike update, we asked for everyone available to come in and help. I joined the team walking the buildings, talking to customers, and helping to get services restored. Model the behaviors you’re trying to build in your teams.

A Dash of Humor

And don’t forget to add a dash of humor. Let’s face it, our work can be stressful. Tight deadlines, high stakes, and complex problems can take their toll. But a little laughter can go a long way in easing tension and building camaraderie. Whether it’s sharing a funny meme, telling a joke, or just not taking yourself too seriously, humor can be a powerful tool for team building.

Conclusion: The Human Element

In the end, the most advanced technology in the world is only as good as the people behind it. Building strong teams, fostering relationships, and creating a positive culture are just as important as the latest tech trends. So, the next time you’re troubleshooting a stubborn issue or rolling out a new system, remember to embrace the human element.