Naz Delam: Empowering Engineers by Inclusive Tech Leadership

Strategic Leadership in Tech Management!

In the modern realm of technology, the role of software engineers stands as a beacon of innovation and progress. Naz Delam, a Software Engineer Manager at LinkedIn Media, embodies this ethos through a journey rooted in academic excellence and fueled by a passion for human-centric technology solutions.

With a master’s degree in computer science, Naz embarked on a transformative path that led her to the forefront of the tech industry. With over 10 years of experience in web applications development, architecture, and engineering, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her passion for creating innovative and scalable solutions enhances user experience and engagement, positioning her as a leader in the field.

As a Software Engineer Manager, Naz’s responsibilities extend far beyond code and algorithms. She conducts the development and execution of software projects at LinkedIn, aligning them with strategic objectives and user-centric values. Her leadership philosophy revolves around fostering an environment of innovation, collaboration, and continuous growth. By nurturing her team’s technical skills and professional development, she strives to inspire a culture of excellence and purposeful innovation.

In addition to her role at LinkedIn, Naz’s influence extends to the broader tech community as an international speaker, career coach, and contributor to naz.dev. Through her diverse engagements, she imparts insights on leadership, prioritization, and diversity, shaping the future of the industry while empowering aspiring engineers, especially women, to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to the constantly evolving tech world.

Let’s delve deeper to learn more:

Journey From Engineer to Manager

Naz’s journey into the tech industry began with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, which laid the foundation. Seeking to explore deeper into the realms of technology, she pursued a master’s degree in Computer Science with a focus on Data and AI. It was a decision that would set the course for her future endeavors.

In 2014, she made a significant leap, relocating to the bustling tech hub of the Bay Area in the United States. Here, she took her first steps into the industry as a backend software engineer. Over the ensuing years, her career trajectory saw her navigating the vast landscape of tech, gaining expertise across various domains from backend and frontend development to data science and AI, and even exploring the intricacies of self-driving technologies and distributed systems.

Yet, amidst the expanding tech landscape, she found herself increasingly drawn to the human aspects of the job rather than the technical aspects. As she progressed in her career, her focus shifted from the intricacies of code to the dynamics of leadership and team management. This pivotal realization sparked Naz’s transition into a technical leadership role in 2018, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her professional journey.

From Curiosity to Connection

For Naz, a career in software engineering was not initially marked by passion but rather by curiosity and exploration. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, the subject failed to ignite a spark within her. However, a pivotal moment changed everything when she first time explored coding. It was a seemingly simple task like developing a program to greet individuals by name.

Yet, the impact of seeing her name echoed back from the console, as if the machine itself acknowledged her presence, was profound. In that instant, her perception of software engineering shifted irreversibly. It wasn’t just about lines of code anymore; it was about the power of technology to evoke personal connections and responses.

This moment, etched in her memory for 17 years, laid the groundwork for Naz’s enduring passion for software engineering. As technology evolved, particularly with advancements in AI, she became increasingly fascinated by the potential for computers to interact intimately with humans. Today, as a seasoned leader in the tech industry, her motivation transcends code.

It’s the limitless possibilities of creating impactful features for people worldwide that drive her. Leading cross-functional teams, Naz believes in the transformative power of technology to enrich lives and shape the future.

Navigating Success as a Software Engineering Manager

As a Software Engineering Manager, she holds a vital role in ensuring the success of her team and their projects. Her primary focus is to align these endeavors with the company’s strategic objectives while delivering value to users. Naz’s responsibilities encompass more than just oversight. She cultivates an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive, guiding his team through challenges to maintain high-quality results.

Dedicated to the growth of her team, she invests in their professional development, nurturing their skills and fostering a culture of excellence. Through her unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of software development, she inspires her team to reach new heights. Together, they strive to create solutions that not only enrich the lives of users but also redefine industries, leaving an indelible mark on the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

Strategic Leadership in Cross-Functional Team Management

Leading a cross-functional team that drives all on-platform media at LinkedIn involves a strategic and inclusive approach:

Clear Communication: She prioritizes clear and open communication to ensure every team member understands the team’s goals, strategies, and individual roles. This involves regular meetings, detailed briefings, and transparent feedback mechanisms.

Goal Alignment: Aligning the diverse objectives and metrics of different functions with the overarching business goals is crucial. She works closely with team leads to set unified, measurable targets that motivate everyone toward common achievements.

Empowerment and Autonomy: Empowering team members by delegating authority and encouraging decision-making at various levels helps to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility. This autonomy boosts motivation and creativity, which is essential for driving innovative media strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Facilitating cross-functional workshops and collaborative sessions not only helps in problem-solving but also promotes understanding and respect among different disciplines. It’s important for team members to appreciate how their work intersects and contributes to broader company goals.

By employing these approaches, She aims to create a cohesive, innovative, and highly effective team capable of driving impactful media strategies on LinkedIn’s platform.

Speaking Engagements

As an international speaker, Naz finds profound inspiration in topics related to career advancement and leadership development, themes that resonate deeply with her professional journey. This year, she is preparing to focus on prioritization, a critical skill for effective leadership. Through her talks, she enlightens leaders about its transformative power in managing time, resources, and teams.

She explores prioritization strategies with insights, tools, and real-world examples, aiming to equip leaders with the knowledge to make informed decisions crucial for their organization’s success. By sharing her expertise, Naz fosters a culture of productivity and alignment within teams, empowering leaders to navigate their paths with confidence.

Balancing Act for Multifaceted Career

For Naz, striking a balance between her technical role at LinkedIn and her commitments as a career coach, speaker, and contributor to naz.dev is a finely orchestrated dance of time management, prioritization, and passion. Harnessing the skills and insights gleaned from her technical role, she enriches her coaching and speaking engagements with real-world experiences and cutting-edge industry trends. Prioritization becomes key as she allocates specific times for each role, focusing on tasks that yield the highest impact.

Naz integrates these diverse roles where possible, finding synergy between them. Topics explored on LinkedIn may inspire content for Naz.dev, while insights gained from coaching sessions may inform discussions in her speaking engagements.

Embracing technology aids in streamlining Naz’s workflow; automation tools and productivity apps help her stay organized and on track with her commitments. Regular reflection and feedback from peers serve as guiding lights, allowing her to adjust her approach and maintain equilibrium. Ultimately, the harmonious interplay between these multifaceted roles enriches her professional journey, infusing each aspect with greater fulfillment and impact.

Insights for Shaping Work

Her professional journey through engineering, leadership, mentoring, and promoting diversity has provided her with invaluable lessons that profoundly influence her approach to work, such as:

Embrace Continuous Learning: Engineering instilled in Naz the importance of curiosity and continuous learning, which are essential for staying abreast of evolving technology and effective leadership.
Leadership is About Service: She believes true leadership is about serving others, empowering her team, removing obstacles, and enabling their best work.
The Power of Active Listening in Mentoring: Through mentoring, she learned the significance of active listening, guiding her in providing meaningful support and advice tailored to individuals’ aspirations and challenges.
Diversity Drives Innovation: Naz’s diversity advocacy underscores the power of varied perspectives in driving innovation, emphasizing its strategic importance for success.
Adaptability is Key: Adaptability emerged as a critical skill for her across all areas, essential for navigating technological shifts, evolving team dynamics, and diversity strategies.
Empathy Bridges Gaps: Empathy is central to her approach, fostering effective communication and collaboration in leadership, mentoring, and diversity advocacy.
Transparency Builds Trust: She values transparency as a cornerstone of effective leadership and mentorship, fostering trust and a sense of community among team members.

These insights form the foundation of Naz’s work approach, emphasizing continuous improvement, empathy, and inclusivity. She aims to cultivate environments where everyone can thrive and contribute their best.

Fostering Diversity and Inclusion

In promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry and her role at LinkedIn, Naz focuses on following key strategies.

Recruitment and Hiring Practices: She advocates unbiased recruitment practices, ensuring job postings are inclusive and accessible to diverse candidates. Collaborating with diverse recruitment agencies and utilizing platforms popular among under-represented groups are integral to this approach.
Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs: She actively supports mentorship and sponsorship initiatives, particularly targeting under-represented groups in tech. These programs provide essential opportunities for career growth and leadership roles.
Continuous Education and Training: Recognizing the importance of ongoing education, Naz organizes workshops and training sessions on topics like unconscious bias and inclusive leadership for her team and herself.
Inclusive Team Culture: She fosters an inclusive environment within her team, prioritizing regular check-ins, open dialogues about diversity and inclusion, and celebrating diverse perspectives.
Advocacy and Awareness: Beyond internal efforts, Naz engages in speaking opportunities and contributes articles to platforms like LinkedIn and naz.dev, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.
Feedback and Improvement Mechanisms: She implements feedback loops within her team and projects to continually assess and enhance diversity and inclusion efforts, ensuring progress and adaptability.

Through these concerted efforts, Naz aims not only to foster diversity and inclusion within LinkedIn but also to drive industry-wide change. Her commitment to nurturing inclusivity inspires others to join the movement towards a more diverse and equitable tech landscape.

Anchored Values and Leadership Principles

Her leadership style and decision-making processes are guided by a core set of personal values and principles like:

Integrity: Upholding honesty and ethical standards forms the cornerstone of Naz’s leadership philosophy, fostering trust and credibility within her team and among stakeholders.
Empathy: She prioritizes understanding and considering the perspectives, needs, and feelings of others, guiding her to make inclusive and supportive decisions that resonate with her team.
Respect for Diversity: Valuing diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences enriches her decision-making processes, ensuring a breadth of insights and fostering innovation within her team.
Commitment to Excellence: Her relentless pursuit of the highest quality and continuous improvement drives her to set lofty standards for herself and her team, pushing boundaries and fostering growth.
Transparency: She advocates for openness and clarity in all aspects of leadership, fostering trust and alignment by being transparent about processes, decisions, and their rationale.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for her actions and holding her team accountable cultivates a culture of responsibility and reliability, driving performance and fostering trust within the team.
Growth Mindset: She believes in the potential for growth and learning, both for herself and her team, fostering resilience, adaptability, and a continuous pursuit of learning and development opportunities.
Collaboration: She values teamwork and prioritizes collective achievements over individual accolades, leveraging the full strength of her team towards shared goals.

These values and principles not only shape Naz’s leadership style but also influence the culture of her team, fostering an environment where every member feels valued, understood, and motivated to contribute their best work.

Nurturing Team Dynamics

Naz fosters a dynamic culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within her team at LinkedIn through the following thoughtful blend of strategies:

Creating Safe Spaces for Experimentation: She encourages calculated risk-taking, fostering an environment where failures are viewed as opportunities for growth. This approach cultivates an innovative spirit where novel ideas are embraced and tested without fear of repercussion.
Regular Knowledge-Sharing Sessions: Naz prioritizes frequent meetings where team members have the opportunity to share insights, project updates, and industry trends. These sessions promote a culture of continuous learning and facilitate knowledge exchange, keeping the team informed and inspired.
Cross-functional Projects: She believes in involving team members in projects spanning various disciplines. By working across different areas, team members not only enhance collaboration but also broaden their skill sets, leading to the development of innovative solutions and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.
Feedback Culture: She also underscores the importance of a robust feedback system within the team. Constructive critiques and suggestions are encouraged, fostering an environment of continual improvement and personal growth.

Through these strategies, Naz cultivates a team culture characterized by collaboration, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, ensuring that her team at LinkedIn remains at the forefront of innovation and professional development.

Guiding Women in Tech

To aspiring women in the tech industry seeking to make a meaningful impact and shape their future, she offers the following advice:

Build a Solid Technical Foundation: Invest in mastering core technologies and principles. Continuously update your skills to stay relevant and innovative in your field.
Seek Out Mentors and Role Models: Connect with mentors and role models who can provide valuable guidance and support. Learn from their experiences to navigate the industry more effectively.
Cultivate a Network: Networking is key in the tech world. Engage with industry communities, attend conferences, and participate in online forums to expand your connections and opportunities.
Advocate for Yourself and Others: Be confident in advocating for your ideas and initiatives. Also, support and uplift fellow women in tech, contributing to a more inclusive environment that fosters success for all.

According to Naz, adhering to these strategies enables women to confidently navigate the tech industry, fostering substantial contributions and clearing pathways for future generations of women in technology.

As we navigate the fast-paced world of technology, her story reminds us of the importance of embracing change, cultivating inclusive environments, and empowering individuals to realize their full potential. With leaders like Naz Delam paving the way, the future of tech shines bright with endless possibilities for innovation, progress, and meaningful impact.