The NH Tech Alliance has recently announced a newly created leadership program called Ascending Leaders in Tech.  This program will not only teach leadership skills but create a network of new and seasoned leaders throughout the state.  We hope that this group of ascending leaders in technology will be able to impact the state of New Hampshire by their involvement and ability to accelerate the tech industry as well as attracting more high-tech employees.

What makes a great leader? Is it mentality? Technical aptitude? Business know-how? What is it?  The real answer is truly, all of the above.

NHTA’s Ascending Leaders in Tech is an interactive, hands-on program designed for technical professionals to grow their leadership skills. The six class course provides existing andemerging leaderswith an opportunity to refine their skills, connect with influential tech executives and maximize their impact in the tech industry.

The Ascending Leaders in Tech course is hosted by the New Hampshire Tech Alliance. Participants will meet in person at various locations throughout New Hampshire where you will learn about the local tech economy in addition to creative course content. The six day-long sessions will begin in September 2023 and end in May of 2024.

This course is designed for New Hampshire technology professionals in leadership positions or those who aspire to be in a leadership position. This includes professionals working for any size of company as well as entrepreneurs.

The program focuses on building diverse skills across relationships, management, finance, mental resilience, and leadership excellence.

Accomplished tech executives will act as advisors throughout the course. By the end of the program, participants will have a built-in network of influential leaders across the state to draw upon for expertise.

The Ascending Leaders in Tech course features six sessions. Each session will focus on a different aspect of the leadership skillset. During the sessions, participants will work with advisors: well-established, successful tech industry leaders who will share their expertise and insights from their leadership journey.

The following is a schedule of the Course:

Day 1 - Orientation: Get to know your fellow attendees, advisors — and yourself. Participants will meet their new colleagues and conduct personal strength assessments to better define their leadership goals.

Day 2 - Building Relationships: No leader succeeds alone. From hiring strategies to managing conflicts, to developing culture, participants will learn how to maximize their most important assets — their people.

Day 3 - Finance & Budgeting: Whether you like it or not, every tech leader is judged on the bottom line. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of budgeting, forecasting, revenue recognition and vendor management.

Day 4 - Mental Resilience:Leadership requires sustained excellence. No one can escape burnout, but our advisors will discuss strategies to identify and mitigate burnout in themselves and colleagues while discovering resources that help build healthy work habits.

Day 5 - The Executive Mindset: Tech leaders must be versatile and plugged in. This session will help participants master the finer elements of leadership, from cybersecurity best practices to CRM management to public speaking.

Day 6 - Leadership Impact:Emerging leaders have the potential to expand New Hampshire’s growing tech footprint. Our final session will cover how participants can contribute to a more connected and robust tech industry that benefits the entire state.

Are you interested in becoming a Leader in Technology for N.H.? The requirements follow:

• You must be a resident of N.H. or work for a company within N.H.

• You must be a technology professional.

• You must have five to seven years in a technology role.

• You must be a leader or an aspiring leader who is eager to grow or learn personally and professionally.

A select group of applicants will be chosen to participate in an interview with the selection committee. The committee will then choose the final cohort. Further, there is no fee to apply.

Sharpen your skills, make great connections, and advance your career! NHTA.org is where it’s at!

Apply now at: https://nhtechalliance.org/ascending-leaders-in-tech-application/.

JoAnn Hodgdon is vice president and co-founder of Portsmouth Computer Group (PCGiT) with her husband David. PCG provides comprehensive managed IT services, business continuity, security, cloud computing and Virtual CIO services to their clients.  You may reach her at joann@pcgit.com or at www.pcgit.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: IT Insight: Ascending leaders in technology your time is now