This week, on October 16th and 17th, I attended a technical conference for the first time – LeadDev West Coast 2023. I was there to support my wife, who was one of the speakers, and it provided an excellent opportunity to make new friends and learn from some truly remarkable individuals.

Several key takeaways from this experience caught my attention, and I believe they're worth sharing, whether you're in a tech role or, like me, a product-oriented professional:

Optimizing Team Dynamics

As a leader, it's crucial to establish priorities and communicate the company's, department's, or product's strategy with your team. You need to be the guiding force that points people in the right direction and clears obstacles as they arise. Team members are typically engaged in various activities, and to enhance their day-to-day operations, certain actions can be pivotal. This includes:

• Defining task deadlines or expected timeframes.

• Aligning priorities and assessing whether the demand aligns with the overall strategy.

• Setting clear expectations for deliverables.

Fostering alignment and delineating boundaries

Stakeholders have a vested interest in deliverables and often transform routine demands into urgent matters. Without explicit guidelines, especially in the realm of communication, team members might act independently, responding at any time and from any place, leading to increased isolation and an altered sense of urgency and priority.

• Specifying official tools.

• Establishing response times and availability.

• Designating focal points for various topics.

Rotating the workload intensity among team members

Moments of chaos, increased demands, and urgencies are commonplace, but adhering to this approach is not sustainable for team members. They're likely to become fatigued, overwhelmed, and disheartened in their daily routines, possibly even succumbing to severe consequences like burnout and resignation. Therefore, it's imperative to:

• Identify existing opportunities within your specific context.

• Recognize which team members are enduring these periods and for how long.

• Distribute these challenging moments among the

  team members equitably.

Being deliberate in understanding team member behaviors

Burnout manifests differently in individuals. As a leader, it's paramount to pay attention to the behaviors of highly engaged and disengaged team members. It might seem counterintuitive to discuss the performance of highly engaged individuals, but distinct symptoms can lead to the same detrimental outcomes. Highly engaged individuals may be the ones engaged in all discussions, treating every demand as urgent, attempting to handle the entire team's workload, and disregarding fixed working hours.

This behavior can be detrimental both to the individual and the team. On the other hand, disengaged individuals tend to: avoid participating in meetings, hesitate to make decisions and show reluctance to collaborate with the team. Being aware of these signs and taking proactive steps is essential. This can be achieved by:

• Scheduling one-on-one meetings to discuss these behaviors.

• Collaboratively outlining an action plan with the affected team member.

• Sharing these concerns with colleagues and superiors to gain visibility and comprehend how the broader context may contribute to such behavior.

Supporting ourselves as Leaders

To effectively support others, you must first ensure your well-being. It's the age-old advice of securing your own oxygen mask before assisting others. Suggested actions include:

• Creating a safe space for sharing frustrations and concerns with trusted colleagues.

• Evaluating your efficiency and task prioritization.

• Identifying activities that re-energize you and make your workday more enjoyable. Strive to balance the more mundane tasks with those that bring you joy.

In times of crisis, you must step up

Currently, we're navigating through a period marked by significant layoffs, reduced investments, and an economic downturn. These factors affect the growth opportunities available to your team. However, certain actions can help sustain team visibility and engagement:

• Embrace transparency, even when delivering challenging messages. Foster closeness within the team.

• Remember that motivation can take various forms, and promotion isn't the sole motivator. It might involve leading an initiative, receiving mentorship, or creating a reading or study group.

• Innovate by generating opportunities. At times, these opportunities might not be within your team, and that's perfectly acceptable. Open doors for your team members to reach greater heights, even if it means they'll shine in a different context.

Leveraging Systemic Leadership for positive change

Systems thinking is a valuable approach for tackling complex issues with multiple variables, interdependencies, and long-term consequences. It enables individuals to see the bigger picture and make more informed decisions. To effectively apply this methodology, specific foundational steps are crucial:

• Define and comprehend your team's objectives.

• Develop a deep understanding of the issues and opportunities in your team's context.

• Act within the system in question, in this case, your team and the existing processes.

• Actively be an agent of behavioral change and champion efficiency.

It's imperative to not only grasp the concept but also to believe in the potential to reach the desired outcome and to actively function as an agent of change.

In summary, LeadDev West Coast 2023 highlighted the importance of leadership, effective communication, and holistic thinking in the ever-changing professional landscape. Optimizing our approaches, caring for our team's well-being, and embracing systemic leadership principles all contribute to our success and the growth of our organizations. Even in uncertain times, there are opportunities for innovation and empowerment, allowing us to make a meaningful impact.