Servant leadership: helping your team grow and shine

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Leonor Frias
Engineering Team Leader
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An Introduction to Leadership in Tech

Hello, and welcome! I'm glad you're here. My name is Leo, and I'm an engineering team lead at Ocado Technology, one of the leading companies in the online grocery retail business. I'm honored to be speaking in my third Women in Tech event, and I'm excited to share my experiences with you. Whether you already hold a management position or are considering stepping up into one, this discussion may prove beneficial.

Navigating Challenges in Tech Leadership

In my role at Ocado, I manage a team of eight engineers. I'm responsible for their alignment with the business goals, their individual growth and well-being, and delivery of products in collaboration with the product manager. But how do I balance focusing on strategic planning without forgetting about the needs of my team?

Servant Leadership: A Different Approach

Servant leadership, a term first introduced in the 1970s by Robert K. Greenleaf, focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of team members and the communities they belong to. Unlike traditional leadership models, where power accumulates to those at the top, a servant leader shares power, puts the needs of others first, and helps individuals develop and perform as highly as possible.

Building a Framework for Servant Leadership

For a team to function effectively under this model, a clear framework needs to be in place. This includes:

  • Understanding the organization's goals: The team should be aligned with the broader organizational mission.
  • Setting clear expectations: Clarity and explicit communication of expectations are key.
  • Implementing team ways of working: Setting technical best practices and methods of collaboration can create a cohesive team environment.

Additionally, regularly scheduled meetings, such as one-on-ones, can further contribute to success. It's crucial to remember: things change, and it's essential to remain adaptable and open to improvement.

Fostering Connection and Empowering Your Team

Hosting team-building events, promoting proactive feedback, and even participating in job swaps with other teams are all strategies that can improve a team's dynamics and productivity. Additionally, encouraging team members to partake in knowledge-sharing opportunities, both internally and externally, can foster personal growth and boost team outputs.

As a servant leader, finding opportunities for your team to grow while delivering value is a balancing act. But with the right structures in place and promoting a culture of continuous learning and communication, you can lead a team that is not only happy and high performing but also continually developing and growing.

Do you have more questions? Feel free to reach out to me at my email or on LinkedIn. I look forward to discussing further the fascinating realm of servant leadership.

Interested in joining Ocado Technology? Click [here](https://www.ocadotechnology.com) for more information .


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