#02. Today I'm learning from Joel Lindstrom. Joel is a senior director at Hitachi Solutions America, where he oversees the Power Platform, Low-Code and Automation team. Before joining the Microsoft channel as a solution architect with Customer Effective, Joel sold office equipment. Customer Effective was acquired by Hitachi Solutions seven years later, and Joel has been building his career there for over a decade. Joel has a long history with the Microsoft MVP program and he also played a pivotal role in giving Neil a break in podcasting back in 2017.

KEY LESSONS

1. Defining Leadership Goals: Joel emphasizes the importance of understanding why you want to be a leader. It's not just about the impressive title or the increased salary; it's about embracing the additional responsibilities and making a positive impact on your team.
2. Managing Yourself First: Before taking on a leadership role, Joel advises assessing your personal habits and time management skills. Can you manage your own mindset and health effectively? These are crucial skills for managing a team.
3. Empowering Your Team: One of Joel's greatest joys in leadership is seeing his team members succeed. He believes in the power of nurturing talent and celebrating the achievements of others, even if it means they surpass him in rank.
4. Monday Morning Updates: Joel shares a practice of sending out Monday morning messages to his team, acknowledging successes and setting priorities for the week. It's a simple yet effective way to maintain team cohesion and focus.
5. Continuous Learning: While Joel values keeping technical certifications current, he acknowledges that every leader can show commitment to continuous learning in their own way. It's about setting a strong example for your team.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Joel on managing a project vs. a team

00:46 Introduction to Practice Leading and guest Joel Lindstrom

01:46 Joel Lindstrom's career journey

03:22 Finding your 'why' in leadership

06:57 Challenges in transitioning to leadership

07:21 The joys of leadership

10:07 Recognizing team achievements

14:03 Managing yourself before managing others

18:13 Handling an unpredictable schedule as a leader

22:50 Strategies for balancing meetings and deep work

26:41 The importance of self-management

28:23 The role of certifications for leaders

RESOURCES

• Joel Lindstrom on LinkedIn
• Hitachi Solutions America on LinkedIn
• Punish By Rewards by Alfie Kohn
• Deep Work by Cal Newport
• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

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#1. Mohamed Mostafa is the founder and managing director of TechLabs London, the company behind iProperty Cloud, the housing management platform build on the Microsoft cloud. He has been recognised as a Microsoft MVP since 2016, a Microsoft FastTrack Solution Architect, and holds an MBA from Henley Business School.

KEY LESSONS

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In our discussion, Mohamed shared some invaluable insights and strategies on building a successful team and a thriving business culture. Here are three key takeaways:

1. Embrace Diversity in Hiring: Mohamed emphasized the importance of moving beyond hiring clones. A rich mix of backgrounds, experiences, and skills not only enriches the workplace but also significantly improves business delivery. He advocates for a hiring process blind to ethnicity, religion, and personal background, focusing instead on cultural fit and qualification.
2. Invest in Apprenticeships: TechLabs London places high value on apprenticeships, bringing in young recruits and training them in technology and consultancy. This approach not only nurtures talent but provides fresh perspectives. While apprentices often move on to other Microsoft partners, their contribution during their tenure is invaluable.
3. Foster a Dynamic Work Culture: TechLabs London has done away with strict hierarchies and promotes a fluid structure where employees can engage in multiple roles and projects. This "holacracy" structure, along with cross-departmental collaboration, ensures a vibrant work environment where innovation thrives.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 How hiring similar backgrounds limits diversity

00:31 Introduction to Practice Leading Podcast

03:24 Importance of people in consulting businesses

05:01 Creating a positive work environment

08:40 Implementing holacracy at TechLabs London

11:49 Benefits of diverse roles in teams

14:48 Innovative hiring strategies

17:15 Hiring industry experts and apprentices

20:23 Challenges and benefits of hiring apprentices

23:06 Strategies for unbiased recruitment

30:23 Gathering industry expertise for product development

36:19 Mohamed's key interview question for cultural fit

RESOURCES

• TechLabs London website
• TechLabs London on LinkedIn
• iProperty Cloud website
• Mohamed Mostafa on LinkedIn
• Maverick: The Success Story Behind the World's Most Unusual Workplace by Ricardo Semler
• Holacracy: The New Management System for a Rapidly Changing World by Brian J. Robertson

Welcome to Practice Leading, the show for emerging and curious practice leaders of Microsoft partner businesses.

I’m Neil Benson and, if you’re anything like me with an unquenchable curiosity and zero tolerance for BS, you’ve come to the right place.

Together we’ll learn from innovators and investors, executives and entrepreneurs, and business leaders and business coaches that have already left their stamp on the world and those that are exploring new and smarter ways building their businesses. Whether it’s ground-breaking innovations, hiring high-performing teams, or the sheer force of will to disrupt our industry, each episode is a masterclass from the trailblazers who have achieved significant success.

Find Practice Leading on YouTube, or at practiceleading.com, and learn from the mentors you wish you had earlier in your career.