Many businesses are struggling to keep up with the pace of tech. New innovations and technologies seem to be emerging daily, and if tech teams don’t stay on top of the trends, they can easily fall behind. As part of our mission to share insights and engaging thought leadership perspectives from in-the-know tech leaders, we sat down with Jamie Adams, senior vice president and CITO of Lifeway, to get her thoughts about tech leadership, the value of training, and what lies ahead.
Today's tech landscape requires leaders to juggle multiple skills to foster a strong team. Here are Jamie’s top three tech leadership skills.
Adaptability
Markets, technologies, and circumstances are constantly evolving, especially in the tech world. Jamie believes that as a leader, you need to be open-minded to change. She says, “The ability to pivot, adjust plans, and embrace new approaches ensures you stay relevant and effectively navigate these changes.”
Communication
Tech is filled with complex concepts. Jamie believes an essential leadership skill is to communicate these concepts in a clear and relatable manner so that non-technical team members and stakeholders can easily understand. “This ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical perspectives is essential for effective collaboration and decision-making,” says Jamie.
Business knowledge
Leaders in tech need to understand business strategies, concepts, and financial pressures. According to Jamie, “This knowledge enables you to identify opportunities to add value and align technological decisions with the broader goals of the organization.”
Balancing innovation with security is vital for success
According to IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the average global cost of a data breach this year is $4.88 million. But it’s not just a company’s bank account that takes a hit when a cyber-attack happens. They also damage a company’s reputation in the industry and perception among customers.
Jamie believes that balancing security with innovation and agility involves making thoughtful decisions that support both. “If the risk level is critical,” says Jamie, “Iit’s important to prioritize security measures but not stifle innovation entirely. Instead of compromising on innovation, you can look for ways to implement security controls that still allow for agility and creative problem-solving.”
Jamie believes that by integrating security into the innovation process early on, you can ensure that new ideas are both secure and viable. This approach enables the organization to stay competitive while maintaining a strong security posture.
A culture of learning and development can give businesses a competitive edge
Jamie believes in the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within her tech team. That’s why she has ensured sufficient budget and time are allocated for learning opportunities.
She introduced an initiative called “Focus Fridays”, where on the last Friday of each month, her tech team can dedicate uninterrupted time to learning new skills without the distraction of regular meetings. “However, I also recognize that there may be emergency situations or critical business meetings that take precedence,” she says. “This approach allows for flexibility while still emphasizing the importance of ongoing professional development.”
Employers face greater demands for tech skills
As more and more companies embrace emerging technologies, this drives the need for teams with specialized skillsets. Jamie anticipates a growing demand for expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning. “Since AI heavily relies on data, the need for skilled data scientists and engineers will also increase. Cybersecurity will remain a critical skillset, with high demand expected to continue.”
She also feels that the ongoing shift to cloud-based infrastructure will drive a stronger need for cloud architects and cloud engineers who can effectively manage, optimize, and secure cloud environments.
The importance of investing in tech teams
The need to invest in tech teams and strengthen their skills has never been more crucial. As technology continues to evolve, organizations must keep up to maintain a competitive edge. Investing in tech teams also plays a significant role in enhancing employee satisfaction and retention.
To address the growing demand for skilled tech professionals, organizations are turning to upskilling and tech training solutions. CompTIA offers a range of programs designed to enhance the skills of tech teams, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the modern workplace.
Explore ways we’ve partnered with corporations to drive technology advancement and skill development. Contact our team today.
