In November, Humand Talent proudly hosted the latest Oxford Leaders in Tech (OxLiT) event – a gathering dedicated to advancing leadership skills for tech founders, technologists, and aspiring leaders. The event featured an insightful keynote by Stephen E Morris, engaging peer-to-peer coaching, and valuable discussions. Here’s a recap of the evening.
Rethinking Leadership with Stephen E Morris
Stephen E Morris, an award-winning IT and business leader with over 20 years of experience, delivered a keynote titled Leadership and Goal Delivery. Drawing from his upcoming book, Leaders, Believers, and Expert Deceivers, Stephen encouraged attendees to move beyond the idea of a “one-size-fits-all” leadership model.
He explored how leadership success depends on context, adaptability, and understanding different approaches. Stephen broke down the evolution of leadership theory into three stages:
1. Trait-Based Leadership
This early model suggested that certain traits, like intelligence or courage, predestine someone to be a leader. While straightforward, Stephen explained how this approach oversimplifies the complexities of leadership, ignoring the importance of adapting to specific situations.
2. Behavioural Leadership
Behavioural theories focus on actions rather than innate traits. Leaders who exhibit fairness, empathy, and open-mindedness often inspire trust and loyalty. However, Stephen noted that behaviours alone may not suffice in dynamic or high-pressure environments.
3. Contextual Leadership
Modern leadership theory highlights adaptability, with success depending on a leader’s ability to adjust their style to the situation. For example, a directive approach might be necessary during a crisis, whereas collaboration works better for complex problem-solving.
Beyond Simplistic Models
Stephen also questioned popular leadership frameworks like servant leadership, which prioritises emotional trust (affective trust). He argued that these frameworks often overlook the importance of cognitive trust, built on competence and reliability. By highlighting the interplay between these types of trust, Stephen offered a fresh perspective for leaders looking to refine their approach.
For more insights, Stephen’s book Leaders, Believers, and Expert Deceivers is available now.
Peer-to-Peer Coaching
This OxLiT event introduced peer coaching sessions – a new addition inspired by community feedback. Attendees joined small, confidential groups to discuss their own leadership challenges.
Whether tackling team motivation, decision-making strategies, or navigating organisational change, participants shared experiences and advice, creating a collaborative and supportive environment.
Looking Ahead
The November OxLiT event was a resounding success, sparking meaningful conversations and leaving attendees with actionable takeaways.
What’s Next?
- Save the Date: 21st January 2025
Join us for the next Oxford Leaders in Tech event, where we’ll continue exploring leadership challenges and solutions. - Speaker Sign-Up
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To stay connected with OxLiT and view all upcoming events, visit the Humand Talent Events page or follow us on Eventbrite.
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