How to maintain and improve IT team performance in uncertain world

The pace of change in the world is faster while businesses are encountering a range of challenges that are unprecedented, from geopolitical issues to new technologies emerging rapidly and global economic uncertainties.

The term used to describe this type of world is VUCA, an acronym that stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.

VUCA is an acronym that stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Photo courtesy of ITviec

Due to global economic pressures and financial state uncertainty, more IT companies in Vietnam plan to increase the "no growth/reduction" status of their IT teams and salaries paid to new IT recruits in 2023 compared to 2022. This is a difficult prediction, according to what HR and technical leaders revealed in Vietnam's IT recruiting trends in the 2023 survey from ITviec.

In accordance with PwC’s Asia Pacific survey 2023, when it comes to dealing with changes, human skills such as adaptability and flexibility, collaborative skills, and critical thinking are seen as more important than technical or core business skills, with percentages of 69%, 67%, and 66%, respectively.

Due to the higher level of VUCA in the world and the changing demand for necessary skills to improve team performance, IT employers face significant challenges in maintaining team performance in the following primary areas: ensuring team communication effectiveness in hybrid and remote working environments; developing new policies to accommodate the evolving needs of team size and team structure planning; and maintaining the team's motivation to persist in pursuing challenging goals.

In order to address the challenges faced by IT employers in Vietnam, ITviec has successfully organized high-level training workshops that aim to provide specialized knowledge, practical strategies, and opportunities for shared learning to IT HR directors, executives, and technical managers.

Participants in the VIP Club Workshop were spending valuable time together discussing exercises. Photo courtesy of ITviec

Throughout the activities, IT employers have shared and practiced three valuable learnings regarding how to effectively maintain team IT performance and communication in the face of rapid changes.

Firstly, effective team performance is derived from effective team communication, particularly in the context of hybrid and remote working environments.

In order to foster effective team communication, it is crucial for the company culture and environment to be built on trust, openness, and friendliness.

The workshop activities organized by ITviec have provided IT HR directors, executives, and technical managers with opportunities to practice valuable skills, such as empathizing with others and creating a safe space for them to freely express their thoughts without fear of rejection.

Second, always set the appropriate mentality for the tech team when implementing new structure plans or policies.

When developing and implementing new working policies or team restructuring, before making any adjustments, it is also critical to properly assess the current state of each team member via internal surveys, direct feedback, or 1:1 meetings.

This assessment seeks to identify the appropriate mentality and prepare for changes that will assist the team in focusing on a shared purpose and duties, communicating more and better, rather than relying on obedience with no proactive communication required.

Finally, remember to practice role-modeling behaviors that help team members win and influence others to achieve challenging goals. The power of a team in the VUCA world can be unleashed not only by using formulas but also by the behaviors of each person.

Teams are better able to pursue challenging goals in a volatile world when they are motivated to embody their own values in tough situations, feel free to express their communication preferences, and frequently practice mindful norms of conduct, such as setting clear expectations for others, expressing gratitude, and sharing personal learnings.

Although they are small acts, they possess the ability to transform an individual into a cherished and esteemed leader or team member, as well as inspire those in their connection.

The ongoing rapid changes in technology and the recruitment industry have not only created challenges but also opportunities for IT employers in Vietnam to update their skills, share knowledge, and connect with other leaders.

From those practical and meaningful learnings to maintain tech team performance, IT employees will benefit from the updated and practical changes in the company, which will help everyone achieve their goals and contribute to their company’s success.

Participants at the VIP Club Workshop were honored for their diligent effort and participation. Photo courtesy of ITviec

The purpose of ITviec's VIP Club workshops and activities is to provide high-quality training experiences for IT employers, address their challenges, and facilitate meaningful connections among leaders in the IT industry.

ITviec is a trusted partner for IT companies and organizations in Vietnam. With its deep understanding of the IT sector, large databases, and specialized skills, ITviec can help recruit and retain the best IT talents. See more information here.