Introduction
My name is Kirubel Aklilu. Originally from Ethiopia, I've been living in the United States since my teenage years when I started college. I earned degrees in Electrical Engineering but shifted my career path early on. I began in Software Change Management, then moved into Virtualization, Private Cloud, and eventually Public Cloud with AWS. I've primarily worked with AWS for about 10 years. Outside of work, I live in Columbus, Ohio, with my wife and two boys, aged 6 and 11. I enjoy watching with my family (go Columbus Crew!), coaching my kid's soccer teams, and playing Tennis.
How did becoming a remote manager change your leadership style?
Or, if you are new to being a remote manager, what was that change like?After joining DoiT, I transitioned into a managerial role within our remote team. Having worked remotely even before joining DoiT and the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve long been comfortable with remote work. Many of my team members also have remote work experience, so our shift to remote management has been smooth. However, some team members have expressed a desire for in-person socialization. To address this, we utilize opportunities like industry events such as Google Next or AWS Reinvent to meet face to face. We also encourage Doers who live close to each other to meet for coffee or dinner. One advantage I love about being part of a global team is that we have Doers in most major cities, and it is easy to find a colleague to connect with (or get travel tips from) when traveling. Additionally, we host virtual team-building activities, like pasta-making classes and trivia games, to foster casual connections within the team.
What does communication look like on your team?
Does working in different time zones and geographies affect or change how you communicate?As a remote team manager, I find that our communication heavily relies on Slack and Google Meet, and this approach works exceptionally well. We are a highly collaborative team, and we are always just a Slack message or video call away. This remote setup provides us with the flexibility we need while still allowing us to maintain strong, immediate connections.
How do you establish and maintain trust with your teams?
As a manager, trust is the foundation of everything we do, making it my top priority. Trust takes time to build but can be quickly lost, so it requires consistent effort. While I don't have a specific formula, my approach involves giving trust before expecting it in return. Additionally, it's crucial to understand what truly inspires and motivates both ourselves and our team members. By aligning these motivations and clearly communicating our shared goals, we can foster authentic trust. Building trust demands patience and consistency, but it's a vital investment for creating a productive and cohesive team.
How do you set expectations for your direct reports regarding communication, working hours, performance, career growth, etc.?
Setting expectations is challenging, but certain role-specific expectations, like working hours, are relatively straightforward since we need to support customers in our designated time zones. When it comes to performance and career growth, I collaborate with my peer managers to ensure consistent expectations across our global teams. The main challenge for a leader is to clearly communicate and ensure these expectations are understood by the team. Therefore, my approach involves first defining the expectations with my peers and then focusing on clearly communicating these expectations to my team. I make sure they have ample time to ask questions and provide feedback to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Part of being a manager is hiring new Do’ers. Please share some tips you’ve learned on how to successfully interview and onboard remotely.At DoiT, hiring is a crucial task that we take very seriously, and I personally find it quite enjoyable. Our interview process is designed to screen for the right combination of technical competency and the hunger and humility to continue learning. Regardless of a candidate’s seniority, we expect them to have the drive and curiosity to keep growing. We are a highly collaborative team, so we value candidates who demonstrate strong collaborative traits.
Candidates who reach the interview stage have already undergone a thorough screening process and often have multiple good employment options. When I interview a candidate, I focus on determining if the DoiT culture is the ideal environment for them to grow and achieve their ambitions. I assess what they could gain from DoiT and whether they will be happy here, knowing that their happiness is key to their best performance.
I strive to be completely candid and accurate in describing what a typical day at DoiT would be like. Rather than trying to "sell" DoiT by only highlighting what I think they want to hear, my goal is to paint an honest picture of our culture and let them decide if it’s the right fit for them.
Have you ever experienced any difficulties while working remotely as a manager or an individual contributor?
As an individual contributor in the past, I encountered challenges when I was one of the few remote team members. This situation often led to a dual experience within the team, with remote members sometimes feeling left out while others were in the office. Thankfully, our entire team is remote at DoiT, so this specific issue isn't a concern for us.
What advice would you give to managers who are new to remote managing?
My advice for new remote managers is to prioritize effective management fundamentals and not overly focus on the remote aspect. A good management style that works in a traditional office environment will generally translate well to remote management. The core foundations of effective management—strong communication and trust—transcend geographical boundaries. If you possess these essential qualities, they will naturally adapt to a remote setting.
Can you share any advice on how remote Do’ers can best communicate with their direct manager?
Always maintain open lines of communication. Don't hesitate to express any doubts or concerns promptly. Remember, everyone is just a video call or Slack message away.
Join us!
DoiT is growing, and we’re looking for people to join our teams around the globe. Learn more about our open roles and LifeAtDoiT on our Career page.
