045: Five Essential Executive Skills in Tech Not Taught in School

Episode 45: Five Essential Executive Skills in Tech Not Taught in School

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Executive Skills in Tech: In the realm of career success and personal well-being, setting boundaries, managing up, and unplugging are indispensable skills. Establishing clear boundaries fosters a healthy work-life balance, preventing burnout and maintaining clarity. 

Managing up involves understanding superiors' needs and goals, fostering alignment and trust through effective communication. Unplugging, meanwhile, is vital for mental rejuvenation, enhancing productivity and overall well-being. Prioritizing these skills equips individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace and lead fulfilling lives.

Risk-taking is equally crucial, pushing boundaries and opening doors to success that might otherwise remain closed. Failure, a natural byproduct of risk, serves as a valuable learning tool, fostering resilience and perseverance.

In this episode of "Tech Equity and Money Talk," host Christopher Nelson shares insights on five executive skills crucial for career success that are not typically taught in school. 

These skills were learned on the job and are essential as your career progresses. The episode was inspired by a survey conducted by Christopher's newsletter, where listeners expressed a strong interest in learning more about executive skills. 

Tune in to gain valuable knowledge on how to grow your career, build wealth, and make a significant impact in the tech industry!

In this episode, we talk about:

The Five Skills

• Setting Healthy Boundaries: It's vital to know your limits and define when you are and aren't available for work. This helps you maintain clarity and balance, ensuring you're at your best for the company.
• Managing Up: Develop strategies to align with your manager and their goals. By understanding and supporting their objectives, you can create a mutually beneficial relationship that helps you both succeed.
• Calendar/Time Blocking: Master your schedule by defensively blocking out personal time and offensively scheduling work priorities. This ensures you're focused on what's important and not overwhelmed by others' demands on your time.
• Startup and Shutdown Ritual: Implement a consistent routine to start and end your workday. This prepares you mentally for the day's tasks and helps you decompress and transition out of work mode at the end of the day.
• Unplugging Regularly: To maintain peak performance, it's essential to take breaks and step away from work. This allows your mind to rest and rejuvenate, sharpening your "axe" for the next challenge.

Episode Timeline:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to Work-Life Balance
• 00:00:45 - Welcome to Tech Careers & Money Talk
• 00:01:07 - Executive Skills Not Taught in School
• 00:04:09 - Learning Executive Skills at Splunk
• 00:05:33 - Skill #1: Setting Healthy Boundaries
• 00:06:17 - Skill #2: Managing Up
• 00:09:50 - Skill #3: Calendar and Time Blocking
• 00:11:14 - Skill #4: Startup and Shutdown Ritual
• 00:12:06 - Skill #5: Unplugging Your Mind
• 00:15:05 - The Importance of Unplugging
• 00:18:10 - Real-World Application of Executive Skills
• 00:21:07 - Offensive and Defensive Calendar Blocking
• 00:23:26 - The Power of Startup and Shutdown Rituals
• 00:26:28 - Unplugging for Career Progression
• 00:28:23 - Benefits of Executive Skills
• 00:32:40 - Implementing Executive Skills Today
• 00:33:02 - Part Two: Practical Steps to Executi