Navigating the Transition: Successes, Failures, and Strategies for Management

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was feedback from experiences where things didn’t go as planned. This feedback formed a dual approach that I found to be crucial as I transitioned from a technical lead to a management role. These dual skills are not only helpful in management but can also be applicable to any area of leadership, including what I call 'plate-spinning.'

To Administer and Participate

As a manager, you must be able to both administer and participate in various aspects of the organization. Administrative tasks are straightforward and often repetitive, but you must also immerse yourself in the day-to-day activities to understand the challenges and successes of your team members.

To Welcome Diversity and Drive Unity

Prior to my transition, I was often focused on technical tasks that sometimes excluded broader perspectives. Now, I realize that embracing diversity and promoting unity are key. You must create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, while ensuring that the collective group works towards a shared vision.

To Be Responsive to the Present and Responsible to the Future

Managing requires a balance between addressing immediate concerns and planning for the future. You need to be agile enough to respond to current issues while keeping a longer-term view. This involves setting realistic goals and continuously adjusting them based on feedback and changing circumstances.

To Be Patient with People’s Personalities and Aggressive with People’s Performance

Understanding individual personalities and fostering a positive work environment is critical. However, you must also be performance-driven and hold people accountable. It’s important to remember that while empathy is important, achieving results is the ultimate goal.

To Maintain Direction and Allow for Disagreement

As a manager, maintaining a clear direction is essential, but allowing healthy disagreements is also vital. Encouraging open dialogue can lead to better problem-solving and innovation. This duality helps ensure that everyone is on the same page, while still allowing creativity and diverse thoughts to flourish.

To Over-Communicate and Keep Your Mouth Shut

Good communication is a cornerstone of management. However, sometimes less is more. Over-communicating can lead to information overload, while appropriately timing your communications can prevent misunderstandings and ensure clarity.

To Be Quick but Not Impulsive and Thoughtful but Not Slow

Decisiveness is important, but impulsive decisions can be detrimental. You need to strike a balance between being quick to act and being thoughtful in your decisions. This involves gathering appropriate information, considering all perspectives, and making well-informed choices.

Striving for Success and Overcoming Failures

My experience includes both successes and failures. Leading a team to the top of the tech level due to education but lacking sufficient skills was a significant challenge. Additionally, part-time military roles allowed me to reach the Acting Commander level several times, but without the advanced education degree, full promotion was out of reach.

This journey taught me that transitioning from a technical lead to a management role requires a new set of skills. Being able to 'plate-spin'—managing multiple tasks and perspectives simultaneously—is crucial. I now understand that the role of an administrator is often less difficult once you’ve been in the trenches and understand how things get done. This experience has honed my ability to balance the immediate needs of the team with long-term vision and goals.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

To be successful in management, one must adapt, learn from failures, and leverage the insights gained from them. Encouraging open communication, fostering a diverse yet united team, and maintaining a balance between immediate and long-term goals are key. Continuous learning and adaptability are necessary as the landscape of technology and management evolves.