Steve Dorrity has spent over 20 years in financial services, building a career centered on process management and optimization. Starting in manufacturing before transitioning to financial services, Dorrity has worked across operations, technology and information security. His expertise lies in driving change and making strategic recommendations to improve how organizations function and serve their clients—ultimately delivering millions of dollars in savings through numerous projects. Dorrity’s influence behind the scenes has been pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency and the overall client experience.

This exclusive interview explores the importance of maintaining strong relationships and clear communication with stakeholders to navigate challenges smoothly. It emphasizes staying flexible amid business changes to maintain project alignment with organizational goals. Building a positive team culture is highlighted as crucial, with an emphasis on a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.

AT A GLANCE:

● Staying flexible in the face of business changes like budget cuts and shifting sponsorships ensures that projects remain aligned.

● Strong relationships and effective communication with stakeholders help in navigating challenges smoothly.

● The value of curiosity as a driving force for continuous improvement always seeks better ways to deliver results and innovate for clients.

Staying Flexible in a World of Constant Change

The challenges I’ve encountered throughout my career have been fairly typical in the project management world. These include bureaucracy, budget cuts, staff turnover, and shifting sponsorship that no longer aligns with the organization or unit's strategy. These are common hurdles, but the vital key is understanding that business is always in flux. Change is inevitable, and it’s crucial to stay flexible.

“Navigating challenges requires aligning not just with short-term goals but also with long-term objectives. By remaining adaptable and focused on the vision, we can keep projects on track, regardless of the obstacles.”

A big part of managing through these changes is communicating the impact of decisions, especially when projects are in flight or pending approval. When funding or resource assignments shift, it’s essential to escalate concerns appropriately while keeping the broader strategy in mind. Navigating these challenges is about ensuring alignment not only with short-term goals but also with long-term objectives. Despite the obstacles, staying adaptable and focused on the overall vision is what keeps projects on track and moving forward.

Handling Change: Communication and Alignment

Regardless of when challenges arise, maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders is the key to ensuring that most conversations remain cordial and constructive. When we have that foundation of trust, even tough situations tend to go smoothly. On rare occasions, conversations become more complex, usually when something urgent arises that the team either wasn’t aware of or didn’t fully understand the impact of. In those cases, the message might be clear—the organization has decided and adheres to it.

Fortunately, those situations have been rare. Most organizations I’ve worked with maintain healthy communication and operate effectively, so while not every conversation is easy, it never becomes toxic. Even when the news isn’t favorable—such as when funding is pulled from a project or resources are redirected—the process is still manageable. My responsibility is to ensure that decision-makers have all the information they need. Once a decision is made, I’m there to communicate it to my team and fully support it.

It’s part of my role to align with the organization's direction, even when it means closing a project. Ultimately, my role requires me to provide clarity and facilitate smooth transitions so the business can continue moving forward, regardless of the challenge.

Leadership Philosophy to Team Success

What drives me is simple: curiosity. I'm always looking for ways to improve our client service and deliver better results. That natural curiosity fuels my constant pursuit of innovation and improvement.

When leading my team, I focus on balancing empowerment with accountability. I believe in giving my team the freedom to make decisions while holding them responsible for the outcomes. But leadership goes beyond just decision-making—it’s about building strong relationships, ensuring open communication and equipping the team with the right skills. I prioritize addressing challenges early, fostering collaboration and eliminating any individualistic mindset that might hold the team back.

This balance of empowerment, accountability and collaboration creates an environment where teams thrive. In my experience, applying this leadership approach has consistently led to success, as the teams perform better and stay motivated and aligned with our goals.