Sheh Bertram: giving others a hand up.

• Author: Johnson, Melanie
• Position: Around Utah

Sheh Bertram is doing her part to rewrite the book on leadership by focusing on one key chapter--employee development.

Bertram, the chief technology officer at Zions Bancorporation, hasn't forgotten that helping employees cultivate the necessary skills to advance their careers is something that still matters in the digital age. She sees part of her job as helping employees under her watch realize their potential and then take the steps to reach that potential.

"They don't need me to sit in front of a server and configure it for them," Bertram says. "That's not where I have the most value. Where I have the most value is to give them direction and to help them think about a certain problem in a certain way."

To that end, Bertram encourages her employees to further their education so that more doors are opened to them. She also creates a work environment where it is safe to take risks. If there is a chance for an employee to move up the ladder and tackle a new role, Bertram is the first one to give them a push in the right direction.

If the new role isn't a good fit, they are allowed to return to their previous role. If it works out, that new employee has gained valuable skills and experience.

"To me, teaching them how to think and make decisions is a lot more valuable and a better use of my time than just making the decision," Bertram says.

Bertram's commitment to fostering employee development has not gone unnoticed. The Iranian-born executive won the Technology Excellence Award...