Today, every business wants and needs to be a technology business, and this means more and more opportunities for tech professionals to be more closely involved in setting the path for their organization. surname. In the process, management career paths are opening up – either leading engineering teams or engaging in general business leadership.
Photo: Joe McKendrick
To explore the management paths open to tech professionals, we consulted industry executives for advice on rising through the ranks of the business. the 2020s:
Embrace the big picture
“To move up the ladder, it’s wise to have solid people management skills; this is as important today as it was 30 years ago. It’s important to have a deep understanding of the big picture. , along with solid technological skills.”
“Continually challenge yourself to understand more than just the area you’re working in. If you’re a system administrator, you’re using your skills to organize, install, and maintain servers , but you also need to increase your knowledge by learning why the information is important, what is on the system, how do you fit in it, not just performing the tasks service. Learn how IT can solve problems.”
“Create a road map of where you want to be in five years and learn what you need to get there and execute on your plan. The more knowledgeable and self-trained you are, the more likely you are to reach your goals. You need to develop the skills to speak to both the IT side and the business side of your organization IT professionals should understand the needs of their internal customers and how your function fits into the big picture. .”
– Diane Raffertymanaging director, Atrium
Internal and external network
“Network inside your organization. Make it easy to meet people in other areas of your company. Lunch with a member of the finance or marketing team. Network is growing. becomes more challenging when moving to a remote work environment and individuals will need a coordinated effort due to reduced face-to-face interactions.Understanding other parts of the business other than IT will make you an expert Stronger IT. You better understand the business challenges IT harnesses and can better articulate those challenges to your team.”
“IT pros who can help innovation cycles better understand their business and technology adoption will have more opportunities for them. Work with your team to give them context on what’s happening. business goals/objectives will increase productivity and innovation driven by Teams.. Proficiency from a technology perspective is no longer enough for IT leaders. Today’s leaders are expected to innovate the model. business model through the application of technology.”
“Outside of the company, join an organization of other IT professionals. Consider volunteering your time by serving on the board or in another capacity. And seek out a mentor. can offer career advice. Having a mentor is also a great way to start a professional relationship with an executive and can be an invaluable resource that can help you level up.”
– Scott duFourGlobal CIOs, FLEETCOR
Keep your technical skills fresh
“As IT professionals move up the ladder, there’s a common perception that to be successful you need to trade your engineering path for a manager. That can be daunting for some publicists. I’ve seen from my own career how companies are starting to bust that myth and are paving the way for deep engineering leadership and realizing the value that Senior IT engineer brings executive-level discussion and decision-making.For those passionate about technologists who want to continue to stay relevant, it’s important to find out. companies and cultures have put engineering first.”
– Haluk SakerSenior Vice President, Booz Allen
Be culturally aware
“IT doesn’t exist in a vault anymore. The latest technology skills alone are not enough to move up the management ladder. With hybrid or virtual forms of work, geographical borders are less relevant. Therefore, soft skills and meta are important differentiating factors.People can understand different cultures, including different backgrounds and perspectives, and can effectively handle requests. Customer and team needs are changing in a new normal way.At a higher tactical level, professionals looking to move up the management ladder might consider gaining certification only advanced, such as PMP (Project Management Professional), CSM (Certified ScrumMaster), CBPA (Certified Business Process Associate, Expert or Leader), AIPMM (Certified Business Process Associate, Expert or Leader), AIPMM Certified Brand Manager) and AMA (Certificate in Analytical Skills).”
– Suresh Bethavandupeople director, Mindtree
Become a master communicator
“Continuously hone your soft skills. Can adjust your tone and communication style based on who you’re talking to. The ability to communicate effectively with non-technical people as well as with non-technical people. The technical image is very important.”
“Don’t lose your technical skills, even if you’re no longer coding as part of your day job. This will keep you up to date with the latest tools and technologies and help you stay on top of things. fit your group.”
“Look for opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Whether it’s earning a new certification or attending events to learn from other successful leaders, there’s always an opportunity to learn. Be adaptable and ready for change. Adaptability is more important than ever given the speed the world is changing. Balancing external factors while never losing that entrepreneurship helps you achieve your goals in the long term.Personally, this means being open to learning new skills and looking around for people who complement the skills you have.From a business point of view, it means not being afraid to change your strategy when something isn’t working.”
– Adrian KunzleChief Technology Officer, Private backup
Choose your preferred path: Managing people or technology
Technology career development plans usually follow three main directions: 1) people management; 2) PhD students or skilled engineers; and 3) architects. IT professionals need to define a path to follow, so that they can work to develop their skills and gain valuable experience in the areas in which they enjoy working and feel they can contribute the most. . Experience in business functions – supply chain, finance, human resources – and processes is a valuable companion with technical skills. “
–Sudhir Mehtaglobal vice president of transformation solutions, Lexmark International
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
“Always look for opportunities outside of your comfort zone. Work that lasts longer than a day is often valued more than excellence in the day’s work. If you’re passionate about it, go for it. No It’s got to be discreet analysis and business planning, it’s faith in a foresight and stubbornness not to let go until you figure out how to make it happen.”
– Mark ChevertonChief Technology Officer, Redgate software:
