As a technical leader, you’re always looking for new tactics that improve your team performance. Not every tactic works in all situations. This one practice works on nearly every team in every organization. You can improve the long-term performance of your team.

As the holidays approach, I love the increase focus on gratitude. Being grateful is a state of mind. There is research that shows giving thanks can make you happier. What can you do to act on this attitude of gratitude? Try this one daily habit and see how it changes you and those around you.

I’ve always been a proponent of healthy disagreement. I enjoy arguing both sides of any topic, and I believe disagreement can result in better choices. I can be guilty of seeing only “my way” and not exploring all the options fully enough, and healthy disagreement can help pierce through this one-sided thinking. There is one situation, however, when healthy disagreement is toxic.

One key attribute of effective technical leaders is a recognition of the extreme value of time. Technical leaders are pulled in many different directions. Your time is limited. Responsibilities get added and your time becomes taxed. Set your priorities, act accordingly and demonstrate you value your time as an executive.