To become a manager, you'll need more than tech skills.
Now that you're a technical guru, you've decided management is the next step in your career progression. But it might be tougher than you think. Management positions require a whole new set of skills and knowledge.
Knowing your company's network like the back of your hand will only get you so far. Now you'll need to manage people, conduct meetings, give presentations, and know something about your company's vision and market strategy. If those things don't come naturally, take heart – knowing you're lacking in a few areas is half the battle.
Be a people person
"What is probably the toughest to be dealt with, and the most fundamental, is that most techies need a lot of help with their people skills," says Dana Shultz, founder and president of TechManager Transformations (www.tmtransformations.com), an Oakland, consulting firm. TechManager Transformations specializes in coaching technology professionals into management positions. "The natural tendency for the tech expert is to stay within that well-established technical zone. ... It really takes a huge amount of time and energy to develop reasonably decent people skills."
One-to-one communication skills are essential for any manager, Shultz says. Seminars, skills-development classes, and mentors can each help you learn how to do a better job of communicating, i.e., understanding what someone is saying, and being able to respond appropriately and get your point across, he says.
Presentation, organisation, and time-management skills can also be learned. If you're a manager, you've got a staff. And that means you need to plan and run meetings and probably give formal presentations from time to time.
"There are many techies who have excellent ideas, but either bore or lose their audience within the first 30 seconds," Shultz says. "There are some very basic techniques one can use, but if you don't know them, and haven't been exposed to them, you can't use them."
Broaden your horizons
Your parents and your high school guidance counselor knew what they were talking about when they advised you toward becoming a well-rounded person. "Techies, even when they rise to management, all too often see issues in technical terms rather than from the broader perspective of the enterprise as a whole," Shultz says.
A range of interests and skills, and a broad education, will serve you well in management positions, Shultz says. He speaks from experience – though his undergraduate degree was in computer science, he says he took several courses in philosophy and psychology – something that came in handy later down the road.
Hit the books
If you're the academic type, business management courses or even an MBA can prove worthwhile and increase your marketability. Most universities cater to working professionals by offering courses and degree programs in the evenings and on weekends.
"I definitely see there's an advantage for somebody having an MBA or advanced coursework, however it's also becoming a lot more commonplace," says David Hume, manager of the permanent placement division of Bradford & Galt, an IT-staffing and consulting firm in St. Louis. "It probably has less of a distinguishing effect than it did at one time." You will need to weigh for yourself whether the expense – of both time and money – is worth it, he says.
Be sure to take advantage of any training, education, or tuition-reimbursement programs offered by your employer as well, especially if you decide to go back to school. It can only benefit you, and it lets your employer know that you're serious about learning and professional growth, says Hume.
Find a mentor
Classes oriented toward business management can be worthwhile, but this is one area where a mentor or coach can help, too, Shultz says. The individual could be someone within the organisation, or an outside coach or mentor.
A mentor on the inside can give you advice about issues and strategies particular to the company, and offer the benefit of a tight focus on the way your company operates and manages, Shultz says. An outside coach can provide help with general business skills.
Ask for more responsibility
A promotion isn't the end-all and be-all, says Hume. If a promotion isn't in order, make it clear that you would like other opportunities to lead.
Ask if there are pieces of a project you can take responsibility for, or a part of your boss' job you can take on. These things demonstrate your ability to lead. "It's not a matter of 'Promote me'," says Hume, "but 'Give me an opportunity. Give me a situation where I can show I can excel.'"
Know thyself
Management is not for everyone. You will expend far less energy to be successful if you are working in an area where you feel most comfortable, advises Shultz.
Companies are starting to recognize that some technologists are not cut out for management, he says. Many companies now offer separate career tracks with comparable pay and prestige – one for those who aspire to management, and one for those who want to become senior technical professionals.
"You need to have the motivation, then decide whether it's the best place to be in your career," he says.
Besides, if you love what you're doing, you're more likely to get recognized by the company, says Hume.
"The people who have a passion for what they're doing, and care more about what they're doing, are more often recognised," he says. "Companies have a sense for who's committed."
