Thoughts on Leadership in Tech and in the Fast-Paced Media Space
This blog is inspired by a recent guest appearance by JACKSHOOT’s joint MD, Abi Hemingway in conversation with Keran Boyd, as part of #IBC365
“How do you create purpose within a commercial organisation?”
We’ve recently been revisiting our vision, mission and purpose and have exciting news to announce soon.
Even with the exciting developments afoot, what will remain constant will be JACKSHOOT’s commitment to be the trusted online broadcasting expert, the revolutionaries of the live streaming arena.
Whatever your purpose, how you involve your entire team (or teams) in achieving it will be crucial to your success.
After all, the definition of ‘company’ is simply a legal entity comprising people!
Do you have regular engagements with your teams? Are they encouraged to contribute, be seen and heard, at every level?
“How do you encourage a culture of experimentation while managing a commercial bottom line?”
The most critical thing is building respect and trust with the entire team, especially juniors and new people in the industry.
Especially with live streaming, a failure can be very impactful – it’s very visceral.
After all, in our industry, a blank screen is a disaster!
As a result, it can be a scary place.
It’s important to plan, mitigate any possible risk and think through any and every outcome.
It’s important to show your own when encouraging vulnerability, even when it doesn’t come easily! I know this feeling well.
For example, many may experience imposter syndrome, where we question our experience or worth.
I.S. is a real thing and can be damaging.
It’s potentially more of an aspect related to those under-represented in our industry, with maybe fewer role models and the educational and career structures afforded to others.
With tech changing so rapidly, it’s understandable that you don’t feel 100% on top of everything.
It’s important to share this across teams – 1 individual can’t be expected to know every nook and cranny!
The only people who never fail are those who never try.
How far will those people get?
So, it’s important to plan with and support your teams.
“How can we use tech to be better leaders?”
Working in tech, we have a confessed mandate to have the latest tech hacks to build efficiency and team culture!
At JACKSHOOT, we use a wide range of platforms which we categorise and prioritise channels and platforms.
We have state-of-the-art comms equipment, enabling our team to speak instantly when needed. We use tech in a smart way to share information; using a collaborative mail platform has revolutionised the way we communicate with our clients as a team, and has saved us from doubling up on emails many times.
We love members of the team suggesting new tech, too, and encourage curiosity.
In the words of Steve Jobs, “Stay curious!”
“Do you have to rely on being given a leadership role to be a leader?”
Don’t wait!
Wherever you’re starting from, if you’re a born leader, you’ll find a way to lead.
If you recognise a yearning to lead in yourself, keep driving.
Get a map, keep going and review where you are on the journey. Make any adjustments and be tenacious.
Ask yourself what you can do to nurture your leadership qualities, and who can you ask to team up with you, so you can inspire others and build a team – even if it’s not on your job description.
To some extent, fake it til you make it.
Act like a leader.
“Thinking about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, how do you balance the need to hire e.g. women, while still keeping others in the hiring pool engaged?”
It’s important to keep DEI front of mind.
As a member of RISE and as joint MD of a company with 50% female representation (including senior management team level), it’s been a real driver for me.
DEI still has to be a conversation until the balance is achieved.
It’s critical for the success of companies to draw on a diverse range of backgrounds and skills.
It’s better for business!
From education up, children need to see themselves represented across all industries.
We all need to play our part.