Head of Engineering Lesson 1 - Communicating with the Exec team

So in this new role, as I learn the challenges, I thought I'd share them as I go. 

I have new surroundings working with an exec team and working with my team of leaders. Communicating with my new direct team hasn't really changed that much. They know me well, they know my communication style, we get on great and its off to a superb start. 😁

The first lesson I'm learning is communicating with an Exec team. I'm having to learn a new way to communicate. They're decisive, they don't do scene setting, they just want solutions to the direction of travel. My current style is very scene setting to bring people on board with my ideas. I like to describe the problems that lead me to my thinking. They don't need that, they want the idea so they can see if it fits the direction. 🤔

In those early conversations you can feel estranged, you're not talking to people that have worked with you every day and understand you. They're learning about you and you're learning about them. You don't want to be seen as fighting for attention, but you also don't want to be seen as a rabbit in the headlights. The points you raise can be cut off, if you start to explain details at length. That can knock your confidence. Its an uncomfortable learning but a necessary one that you need to adapt. This isn't team building and task management, this is enabling business direction to move forward.

So I'm learning to be more direct with my communication on ideas and also start with the mindset of what should we do thats in line with the direction of travel. Less problem definition, more an enabler of the company strategy.

More to come as and when they hit me...🙏