Data projects that are completed on time, address changing requirements, and deliver value in the real world require a combination of skills and technologies, as well as the right people.
At Data Summit 2022, Marilyn Moise Rousseau, corporate manager database operations, Baptist Health South Florida, presented a talk titled, “How to Create and Sustain a High-Performing Remote Data Team.”
According to Rousseau, management in data careers is a balancing act between providing the support and clarity that team members need to get the job done and keeping them engaged to create innovative solutions and improve on existing ones. This interactive session offers strategies for building and sustaining high-performing data teams that draw from lessons learned on the job as a data professional.
In her 32 years in the IT industry, Rousseau said she has worked with teams that were effective and ones that were dysfunctional. She outlined the nuggets of truth she has gleaned from her experience in creating high-functioning, high-performing data teams.
Many Data Summit 2022 presentations are available for review at https://www.dbta.com/DataSummit/2022/Presentations.aspx.
Team management strategies learned from leadership in IT:
- Don’t blame the team. We often pick people for their technical skills, but personality is huge. It doesn’t matter how skilled someone is, if people can’t work with them.
- Learn to lead, rather than occupying a leadership role. It all starts with you and you need to encourage your team and be open to continuous learning and growth.
- Create a team culture. Ideally, team culture should be in alignment with the organization. Make people feel comfortable about speaking up without fear of retaliation.
- Support psychological safety. Support people in bringing their authentic self to work, and praise in public, criticize privately.
- Have structure and clarity. Set metrics for success, document standards and processes so everyone understands what is expected and there is not misunderstanding. When people understand roles and responsibilities, they are more effective.
- Measure outcomes, not processes. People work in different ways. Focus on what they deliver and whether they deliver, are on time and on schedule, and available when needed.
- Communication is 90% of the solution for team success. Set up regular one-on-ones and don’t wait for a review to tell someone there is a problem.
- Diversify your team. When you create diverse teams in terms of race, gender, and ability, you create much better outcomes. Think about inclusivity and equality.
- Respect employees’ time. Support their work/life balance. Don’t email or call after hours unless it is an emergency.