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About me
My name is Mauro Bagnato and for over 15 years I have been leading tech organizations.
When I first stepped into leadership, I believed technical expertise was the key to being an effective leader. However, I quickly learned that organizations are living and complex systems and that leading them demands much more than just technical know-how. I believe that curiosity is at the heart of effective leadership. This is what fuels learning and experimentation, both crucial for continuous improvement. This blog aims to explore engineering leadership in all its aspects and to provide insights in a tangible and pragmatic manner. It will also be a space where I will share insights, reflections, and personal takeaways from books, podcasts, and articles that influenced and keep influencing my journey.
Find out how I can help you!
As leaders, one of our biggest responsibilities is to set the right conditions for people to perform at their best through guidance, mentoring, and coaching.
I mean all people, not only the ones whose performances are not great.
However, the reality is that low performances often draw immediate attention, leading to discussions, improvement plans, follow-ups, etc.
In other words, we as leaders, invest a significant amount of time and effort trying to turn low performances into average performances.
There is nothing wrong with it and this is definitely part of the game but we should also ask ourselves:
- How much time and energy are we investing in our high performers?
Or, phrased in a different way
- How much time and energy are we investing in turning good or high performances into exceptional ones?
I strongly challenge the idea that leaders should spend limited or no time with high performers because they are already doing well.
It is rather the opposite, investing time with high performers is not just beneficial; it’s necessary.
If you are wondering how to help high performers grow and excel, here are some targeted strategies:
- Continuously offer tailored development opportunities that fit their growth trajectory.
- Provide strategic context to help them grasp the big picture and be more impactful by making more informed decisions.
- Challenge their way of thinking by providing alternative perspectives.
- Connect them with mentors both inside and outside the company to strengthen their network and maximize learning opportunities.
- Protect their time and help them focus on what matters the most.
