Switching
from a technical role into a management position entails the need to move out
of the comfort zone for most IT professionals. Here we’ve put together some
great advice on making this move as smooth as possible:
Start Small!
"Make
the first move into management a small step," advises Dr Ben Booth, CIO of
global market research firm Ipsos, a private research think-tank in the fields
of media and advertising.
"If
you’re moving from a support or programming role, it’s better to become a team
leader rather than a fully fledged manager, to begin with." Rob Lambert,
senior lecturer, Cranfield School of Management agrees: "If you’re the top
Java programmer, then go for head of Java development, that way you’re still
comfortable with the technical piece, while getting to grips with management
skills."
Be the inspiration
A good
way to start anew and to set your mark, is to get together with the team and
discuss a strategy/plan for the piece of work ahead. There is great truth in
the axiom: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you
care.” Take some time out and establish rapports with your peers and friends.
Ensure that you get their buy in and involvement!
Take
responsibilities
"Rather
than jumping in at the deep end, a better strategy is to try out your
management skills on an informal basis. Don’t say, ‘I want to be
promoted’", counsels Dr Ben Booth, CIO of research giant Ipsos Mori.
"Instead, if you hear of relevant projects put up your hand and volunteer
to manage part of it. If it doesn’t work out, there’s no major fallout, other
than a bit of wounded pride. The upside that you’ll have gained some self
knowledge and that may help you achieve your goal of being manager one
day."
Make the break
The Professor
Chris Edwards of the Cranfield School of Management advises: "Don’t
drift from one role to another, but make a distinct fresh start and use
‘breaks’ to reinforce the transition, make a break in time by going on a course
to kick-start your new role. Most big organisations have internal training
programmes and if you’re working for a small or medium sized business, there
are plenty of third party courses to choose from. And you can make a break in
location by moving to a new desk, even if you don’t need to. This acts as a
signal to your colleagues, as well as a reminder to yourself, that you are
embarking on a new role."
Learn the art of delegation
Perhaps
it is the most difficult part for techies. But it is important for you to
perform in any management capacity. The word “Manager” is derived from the
Latin word “Manus”, meaning literally to guide. Therefore, managers should not
be always intervening in tasks or serving advices but should be able to act
smart or make decisions when called upon.
Show that you care
If you
wish to win the support of your staff and peers, show them that you care,
advises chartered psychologist, Dr Colin Gill. “Remember birthdays and take an
interest in colleagues’ family life – and there’s nothing wrong with keeping memos
about this kind of information”, he says. If you can hold a conversation with
someone beyond the next delivery item, it will deepen your relationship. Nor
does this personal bond mean you roll over and die for staff: “be very clear
about instructions and expectations, and set these within formal
objectives.”
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