IT leaders aim to build happy and productive teams. Despite their best intentions, their actions—or lack thereof—can sometimes lead to counterproductive outcomes. Understanding these pitfalls is important for building a more productive and motivated team. Here we’ll explore five common practices that often inadvertently harm team productivity, despite their sound intentions.
1. Technical debt trap
When shiny new tools backfire
IT leaders often adopt new tools and software prematurely with an eagerness to integrate the latest technology, but this can lead to technical debt—additional work created by choosing quick fixes over effective, long-term solutions.
Bill Briggs, CTO at Deloitte, stresses the importance of resolving technical debt before exploring new technologies. Excitement surrounding new tools must not be allowed to overshadow the importance of maintaining a solid and efficient technical infrastructure.
Understanding the roots of technical debt
Outdated infrastructure and coding methods are primary causes of technical debt. Legacy systems typically require more maintenance and can limit, or at least impact, innovation.
According to Deloitte’s 2024 Tech Trends, 70% of technology leaders cite technical debt as the top cause of productivity loss and innovation hindrance. Addressing technical debt typically requires a very strong understanding of what perpetuates it, such as obsolete systems and inefficient coding practices.
Proactively managing technical debt is a must for sustaining long-term productivity and powering future technological advancements.
2. Solving problems beats handing out solutions
Let your team tackle challenges for greater success
IT team members thrive on problem-solving and the satisfaction of success. Assigning tasks with predefined solutions limits their ability to learn new skills and grow professionally, which may also signal a lack of trust in their capabilities.
Leaders must present challenges rather than solutions if they are to empower their teams to think creatively and develop innovative solutions, in turn growing their skill sets while giving them a sense of ownership and accountability.
How strict roles impact team innovation
Strict role boundaries can discourage self-learning and self-organizing within a team. When team members are confined to narrowly defined roles, they may become disengaged and feel unvalued.
Ola Chowning from ISG points out that strict roles can lead to boredom, a lack of accountability, and a diminished incentive to work productively.
Encouraging flexibility and cross-functional collaboration can help mitigate these issues, leading to a more dynamic and motivated team. Leaders should allow team members to explore and expand their roles if they’re to build a culture around continuous learning and innovation.
3. Focus on people over systems
Building partnerships to boost team morale
Effective leadership relies on creating partnerships within the team rather than just focusing on systems and processes. Leaders must prioritize relationships and value team members if they’re to craft a more collaborative and motivated working space.
When team members feel undervalued and disconnected, their productivity drops greatly. Ashley Cruz, head of IT at Televerde, highlighted that seeing roles as mere functional tasks rather than contributions to a shared mission dampens enthusiasm and engagement.
Breaking free from a systems-first mindset
A systems-oriented approach isolates IT teams from the broader business context—making it difficult for team members to connect their technical efforts with the company’s overarching goals.
Feeling like cogs in a machine rather than integral parts of a larger mission can lead to a decline in both motivation and productivity. Team members should be encouraged to understand their impact on the company’s success; integrating their work with business objectives can reignite their passion and drive.
4. Broadening your team’s horizons for better results
Think of IT as more than a support role
Viewing IT as nothing more than a simple support unit will limit its potential and innovation. IT should be at the front of any leading technology initiatives that drive business progress.
Jean-Philippe Avelange, CIO at Expereo, states that technology is the lifeblood of a business’s entire operation.
Recognizing this fundamental truth, IT leaders must encourage their teams to take proactive roles in driving technology strategies that support business goals.
Recognizing ITs powerful role in business success
IT teams must communicate proactively with other business units to make sure their efforts are in line with the company’s larger strategic objectives. Proactive engagement is key for building cross-functional teams that can work well together.
Companies must build up an environment in which IT is seen as a business partner, rather than just a support function, if they aim to leverage the full potential of their technology capabilities. Broader involvement in business objectives fuels transformation and innovation, which can ultimately position IT as a key driver of the company’s success.
5. Delegate, delegate, delegate
How over-management drains productivity
Over-management, often a byproduct of project complexity and high stakes, can drain productivity, lower morale, and stifle innovation.
When IT leaders become blockers for decision-making, they inadvertently slow down processes and diminish the team’s ability to function autonomously. Micromanagement tends to create bottlenecks, preventing timely and effective problem resolution and reducing the overall efficiency of the team.
Empower your team through clear goals and collaboration
Empowering employees and creating opportunities for them to put leadership skills to practice is a must for building a high-performing team. Lukasz Bobek, IT global ops director at Wrike, advocates for setting clear expectations rooted in data-driven success metrics to help team members understand their objectives and the criteria for success.
Collaboration and open communication are also key for raising productivity. Building a rapport with teams through regular feedback and transparent communication channels helps guide everyone in the right direction, making sure that the team works cohesively towards common goals.
Final thoughts
As you reflect on your leadership approach, ask yourself: Are you empowering your IT team to innovate and align with your business goals, or are you inadvertently stifling their potential through well-meaning but counterproductive practices? Consider the ripple effects of your decisions on team morale and productivity.
Aim to foster a work culture that values people over systems, encourages problem-solving, and promotes strategic collaboration. What changes will you start making today to transform your IT team into an innovative and productive powerhouse?
