IT Leaders

Expedient

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BUSINESS

The purpose of the IT Leaders Council is to bring together IT Directors and Managers for leadership training, educational content from guest speakers, and peer discussions in a vendor-free, collaborative environment. IT Leaders Councils are currently offered in Indianapolis, IN and Columbus, OH, with more cities coming soon!

FEB 5

How To Be A Trusted Advisor 101 ft. Teresa Conroy-Roth and Duane Weber

In this IT Leaders episode, Teresa Conroy-Roth, a seasoned consultant and relationship builder, joins Duane Weber, Vice President at Expedient, to share strategies for becoming a trusted advisor. The discussion centers around earning trust through empathy, active listening, and a client-first approach—moving beyond transactional relationships to forge lasting partnerships. Teresa recounts her early career journey, transitioning from teaching to IT leadership roles. Along the way, she discovered her gift for translating complex technology into accessible language. Duane, with over 30 years of sales leadership, highlights how being perceived as a partner instead of a vendor is essential in today’s business environment, especially during digital transformations. The episode references The Trusted Advisor by David Maister, a foundational text for their presentation’s key themes. Teresa emphasizes the importance of deep understanding, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building practices such as empathetic listening and problem reframing. A powerful moment involves Teresa’s story of a trusted advisor who provided crucial support during a high-pressure phase in her career, illustrating how empathy and reliability can build trust over time. Both speakers delve into practical techniques, including the “Trust Equation” (Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy, divided by Self-Orientation) and effective listening strategies. They also explore how trusted advisors engage clients by demonstrating genuine care and helping them envision and commit to solutions. Listeners will gain actionable advice on fostering trust and enhancing relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or leadership teams. This episode provides a roadmap to becoming the go-to advisor others rely on for guidance and support.

31 min
FEB 5

Leading Through Change ft. Joe Rogalski

In this episode of IT Leaders, Joe Rogalski, Vice President of IT at Delta Force, discusses the evolving nature of leadership in a rapidly changing technological landscape. With a career spanning global roles in both consumer goods and industrial manufacturing, Joe shares insights on leading teams through ongoing transformations. His current company, known for innovations like voice-controlled and touch-sensitive faucets, exemplifies how technology integrates deeply into everyday life and operations. Joe highlights the importance of embracing change, arguing that instead of “leading through” it (which implies a clear end), IT leaders must learn to “lead with” change. He explores strategies centered on human-centric leadership, emphasizing emotional intelligence, the role of feedback, and the need to cultivate adaptability. A key takeaway from Joe’s talk is the SARAH model of change, derived from the Kubler-Ross framework. It tracks emotional reactions to change—Shock, Anger, Rejection, Acceptance, and Hope—offering leaders a way to understand and support their teams’ emotional journeys. He also stresses the value of seeking and listening to feedback, distinguishing between “listening to win” and “listening to learn,” the latter being essential for fostering empathy and growth. Throughout the discussion, Joe reframes change as an opportunity for growth and innovation, urging leaders to view it as a constant process. He closes with a reminder from Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution: survival and success in both life and business depend on adaptability. Listeners will leave this episode inspired to rethink their leadership approaches, equipped with practical models for navigating and leveraging change effectively.

18 min
12/04/2024

Leadership: The Abstraction Layer Between Vision and Execution ft. Michael Quesada

In this episode of the IT Leaders podcast, we’re joined by Michael Quesada, a seasoned tech executive and thought leader specializing in organizational transformation. Michael shares his unique perspective on leadership as the critical "abstraction layer" that bridges vision and execution in technology-driven organizations. Drawing on his extensive experience as a CTO and entrepreneur, Michael unpacks the parallels between technical architecture and organizational design, emphasizing how effective leaders translate high-level strategy into actionable steps that inspire teams and deliver measurable outcomes. He discusses the importance of empowering decision-making at every level, fostering a culture of trust, and the role of adaptability in navigating complexity. Listeners will gain actionable insights into how to build scalable processes, align teams around a shared purpose, and balance innovation with operational efficiency. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or an aspiring tech professional, this episode offers a masterclass in harmonizing strategy with execution to achieve organizational success.

36 min
12/03/2024

Do I Want To Be A CIO ft. Mike Gill

In this thought-provoking episode, Mike Gill, founder of Five Rivers Automation and former CIO of an international manufacturing company, shares his journey of navigating career crossroads and redefining his professional identity. After 13 years as a CIO, Mike faced a pivotal decision: Was the CIO path still right for him? He reflects on the evolution of his career, the shifts in leadership demands, and the lessons learned from embracing career transitions. Drawing on personal anecdotes, including his early days at IBM and the challenges of leading a transformation at a struggling company, Mike reveals how tools like the STAR framework and honest conversations helped him find clarity. He shares why embracing a "career midlife crisis" is not only necessary but can be empowering, and how childhood inspirations like Bret "The Hitman" Hart shaped his mindset for reinvention. Whether you're questioning your career path, striving for work-life alignment, or seeking inspiration to reignite your passion, Mike's candid and motivational story provides a roadmap for embracing change and discovering your next chapter.

25 min
12/03/2024

What Could Go Wrong? Lessons From System Outages to Streamlined Operations ft. Rachel Clark

In this episode, Rachel Clark, CIO of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), shares her remarkable journey of transforming a system plagued by outages into a streamlined and stable operation. With candid reflections, Rachel discusses the challenges of inheriting a 20-year-old ERP system, navigating state leadership transitions, and managing a critical IT budget larger than any revenue she had encountered in her previous roles. Rachel highlights how she prioritized people and processes over technology to drive change, including the creation of talent cards, mapping workflows, and introducing a robust change management and code red process. Through these initiatives, Rachel stabilized the system, introduced automation to eliminate errors in deployment, and led the organization to adopt agile methodologies to prioritize high-value projects effectively. For leaders facing high-pressure environments and complex IT systems, Rachel’s story is a masterclass in resilience, data-driven decision-making, and fostering a culture of trust and accountability.

20 min
10/29/2024

Is Your Technology Destroying Your Team's Productivity? ft. Glenn Keller

In his talk, “Is Your Technology Destroying Your Team's Productivity?” Glenn Keller, Director of Information Technology at CountryMark, explores the unintended consequences of technology on workplace efficiency. He opens with a critique of modern work culture, noting that, despite technological advancements, productivity gains have stalled, leaving workers with long hours rather than the reduced workload many had anticipated. Keller introduces the concept of "consuming the advantage," where each technological benefit, like email or mobile phones, introduces new layers of friction, from endless meetings to multi-factor authentication, all of which distract from meaningful work. Keller shares practical examples to highlight this friction, such as outdated drills with dead batteries complicating a critical space launch—a metaphor for how dependency on tech creates fragile systems. Drawing on behavioral research, he explains how constant distractions, including email, chat, and smartphone notifications, impede deep work, leaving employees in a perpetual state of task-switching that harms cognitive performance and erodes focus. To combat these productivity drains, Keller presents actionable steps for leaders: enforcing boundaries on notifications, restructuring meeting etiquette, and blocking time for deep work. He advocates for a “less is more” approach, reminding leaders to prioritize thoughtful tech implementation that truly aligns with organizational goals, rather than chasing every new tool. This approach, he asserts, can lead to sustainable productivity gains and a healthier, more focused work culture.

36 min
10/29/2024

Minimizing Barriers to Effective Communication ft. Sue Freas

In her presentation, "Minimizing Barriers to Effective Communication," Sue Freas, Director of DevSecOps Engineering at Humana, dives into the intricacies of communication as a critical leadership skill. Freas argues that effective communication goes beyond simply conveying information; it requires mindfulness about clarity, trust-building, and engagement strategies. She opens with a humorous story highlighting the impact of even minor communication slip-ups, underscoring how easily misunderstandings arise from ambiguities—like a misplaced comma. Freas emphasizes that leaders need to be aware of their "scary" status in their teams' eyes, a perception that can hinder open dialogue and honest feedback. By creating trust, showing vulnerability, and ensuring follow-through, leaders can foster a space where team members feel secure in speaking up. Freas also advocates for intentional silence, allowing others space to contribute and reinforcing that leadership communication isn’t just about words but also about listening actively. To keep teams engaged, Freas suggests dynamic meeting styles and adapting language for clarity, encouraging leaders to avoid jargon and acronyms unless they're universally understood. Her advice also covers the nuances of individual preferences and learning styles, highlighting that flexibility is vital to effective communication. The talk culminates with practical guidance: reinforce your message through varied repetition, use simple language, and be specific in praise to encourage replicable behaviors. By focusing on clear, personalized communication, Freas believes leaders can minimize misunderstandings, boost team morale, and ultimately create a more productive, engaged work environment.

21 min
10/09/2024

Maximizing Human Potential and Leadership ft. Brady Howe

In this episode of IT Leaders, Brady Howe dives into the core of leadership and human potential, sharing insights from his journey in professional sports to becoming one of the youngest Vice Presidents in NBA history. With over 15 years in the NBA, working with teams like the Phoenix Suns, Howe reflects on the challenges of transitioning from an athletic trainer and strength coach to a leadership role overseeing millions in salaries and navigating unprecedented challenges like COVID-19. Howe’s leadership philosophy centers around resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability. Drawing on his experiences as both a physical and mental performance coach, he emphasizes the importance of understanding one's psychological and physiological responses in high-pressure situations. He introduces the concept of "operating above the line," a mindset where leaders remain open, curious, and focused on growth rather than defensive and reactive. This approach, he argues, is essential for creating collaborative, innovative, and high-performing teams. Listeners will gain practical strategies for managing stress, fostering resilience, and maintaining a growth-oriented mindset. Howe also shares techniques like box breathing, gratitude practices, and the power of process-oriented leadership over outcome-driven thinking. His journey from an undersized athlete with “grit” to a leader in professional sports provides a compelling narrative for anyone looking to maximize human potential—both their own and their team's.

37 min

See All (52)

Creator

Expedient
Years Active

2023 - 2025
Episodes

52
Rating

Clean
Show Website

IT Leaders

IT Leaders

Episodes

How To Be A Trusted Advisor 101 ft. Teresa Conroy-Roth and Duane Weber

Leading Through Change ft. Joe Rogalski

Leadership: The Abstraction Layer Between Vision and Execution ft. Michael Quesada

Do I Want To Be A CIO ft. Mike Gill

What Could Go Wrong? Lessons From System Outages to Streamlined Operations ft. Rachel Clark

Is Your Technology Destroying Your Team's Productivity? ft. Glenn Keller

Minimizing Barriers to Effective Communication ft. Sue Freas

Maximizing Human Potential and Leadership ft. Brady Howe

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