This post is of a different sort, so buckle up for something new. I recently completed the Advent of Code 2023 and wanted to recap what I learned and some insights on specific puzzle problems. Enjoy!

There is lots of buzz around artificial intelligence and the revolution it promises to bring. Sales and marketing teams are putting AI in everything they can imagine. As a technology leader, I love to explore and use new technologies. It is important to understand where a technology like AI can revolutionize your business and where it is simply a distraction. How does it align with the goals of your business?

The transition from independent contributor to leader and eventually executive is tricky. It feels great to become independent and be given responsibility to manage a team. This increase in responsibility can leave you blind to the importance of building a network within your organization to embrace interdependence. An effective executive delivers on organizational goals through interdependence on their executive colleagues.

Tech companies are laying off staff members. Let’s revisit how to defend against layoffs with the same tools you can use to advocate for career advancement. When you demonstrate continued delivery of results, you demonstrate value to the organization. Whether layoffs or promotions, continually consider what value you bring to the organization.

Be careful thinking that you need to “manage up” when you get frustrated with your boss. Occasionally, people ask for help "managing up" presumably to change some behavior they don’t like. Management is a responsibility that doesn't involve you changing the behavior of your boss. If you think you need to “manage up” it may be a red flag.

Can AI tools like ChatGPT provide guidance and wisdom for managers and leaders in place of industry leaders and experienced professionals? These jobs have seemed insulated from being replaced by technology until the popularity of ChatGPT has demonstrated its effectiveness at presenting conventional wisdom in well-structured written form. Are the days of human-generated blog posts numbered?

Do you hear people talk about “servant leadership”? I work with leaders who talk about working “for their team.” People misunderstand how to effectively work for their team.  Serve your team strategically for long-term success.

I subscribe to the idea that if I have to do something more than a few times, it should be automated. In less obvious situations, automation can increase visibility and provide faster feedback. Here are some ways I have used automation to create value faster.

“What do you value?” I was asked in an interview over fifteen years ago. I had not given “values” a lot of thought. I realized the question about values was very different than what I expected. Have you thought about your values? What do you value? How do you share those values with your team?

Nobody starts out in life with good judgment. I certainly make mistakes. We all fall short at times. Are you making the most of the mistakes you make? Capitalize on mistakes, gain experience, and get better.

“You should be spending ninety percent of your time on this,” my boss said. That sounded crazy. There is no way I could spend that much time on this one project. Have you ever had your boss tell you to do something that you ignored as irrelevant? It is dangerous to ignore feedback from your boss. Instead, take action.

I have gotten out of some productive habits like writing and staying in touch. The best time to restart a habit is today, so I am taking action. Do you have habits you wish you had not lost? Or want to start a new habit? What actions will get you back into the routine you want?

Do you take time to assess your effectiveness? Do you assume your boss knows you are delivering on your priorities? Consider taking a step back and walking through a simple exercise reflecting on whether or not you are as effective as you assume.

Use a bullseye to narrow your priorities and force yourself to identify the most important initiatives on which you can spend your time. Are you spending your time where you can make the biggest impact?

It is easy to lead off a meeting by making a statement or conclusion in a way that stifles the discussion. If you are a more senior member of the group this effect is especially true. I work to remind myself to start a meeting by listening.

One of the most powerful insights that impacted my job performance as a junior executive was realizing my work had changed. I was promoted into roles that required me to rethink where I should spend my time. I had to challenge my concept of what was “work” and what was my value to the organization.

Do you ever wish you could make more time? Consider your inner dialog when you find yourself without time to complete something.

This year staying in touch is harder and more important than ever. You never know when you need your network to help with a job search. I work to stay in touch by thinking of my network in different categories. I want to avoid letting my relationships degrade.

In our current strange quarantine world more than ever you are measured by the results you deliver. We have fewer touchpoints as many of us work from home. Your work will speak for you when you cannot be seen in the office working hard every day.

As a manager, it is worth considering three ways to get things done. Before you just do the work, consider if it makes sense to tell someone else how to do it or to coach someone.