Leadership is a skill that can be learned and developed. The development process, like almost anything in life, is an iterative process where we must continue to refine and improve day by day. Here are three iterative activities and intentions you can take to make you a better engineering leader, whether or not you have a formal leadership title at work or not.
Reflect
“We do not learn from experienceโฆ we learn from reflecting on experience.” ~ John Dewey
The first step to becoming a better engineering leader is to reflect on your own mindset and improve your awareness. This means being mindful of your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and how they impact others. It also means being open to feedback and willing to change your approach when necessary.
One way to reflect is to keep a journal or log of your thoughts and experiences. Ideally, a daily journal keeps you in the habit of consistent reflection. Consider questions such as โWhat amazing things happened today?โ or โHow could I have made today even better?โ that are meaningful to you and reflect on them daily. Donโt overcomplicate it.
You can also ask trusted friends or colleagues for feedback on your leadership style. How do they feel like you come across? What impact do you really have on others? It likely isn’t the same as you think it is, and that external feedback can be extremely valuable.
As you reflect, pay attention to areas where you can improve, such as communication, delegation, or conflict resolution, and take action to make those improvements in those areas.
Connect
“We must establish a personal connection with each other. Connection before content. Without relatedness, no work can occur.” ~ Peter Block
The next step to becoming a better engineering leader is to connect with the people you lead. This means building relationships based on trust, respect, and understanding. It also means creating a sense of community and belonging within your team.
When working with others, don’t just focus on the tasks that need to be accomplished and the deadlines that need to be met. Those things are important, but if you are only transactional in your interactions with others, there won’t be any true connection.
One way to connect with your team is to spend time getting to know each person individually. Seek to get to know them beyond work, and also get insights into their greatest strengths that can be best utilized in the workplace. Just get curious. Ask great questions about how they got into the industry, their family, their dreams, and what things most people donโt know about them. People want to feel seen and appreciated – that’s what this step is all about. If they feel you value them, they’ll move mountains with you!
Direct
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” ~ Helen Keller
The third step in this iterative process is to direct your team towards common goals. The shared focus brings people together instead of just having a team of individuals doing their own thing. This means setting clear expectations, providing guidance and support, and holding people accountable. It also means being flexible and adaptable as your team faces challenges and changes.
When you delegate responsibility, do everything you can to set them up for success while giving them ownership and autonomy. No one wants to be micromanaged!
One way to direct your team is to create a strategic plan that outlines your team’s goals and objectives. You can also develop a set of performance metrics that you can use to track your team’s progress so it is easy to tell what progress they are making along the way. As you direct your team, you’ll help them achieve their goals and make a positive impact on your organization.
These steps are not a one-time sequence. Keep going back through them over and over. By reflecting on your own mindset, connecting with your team, and directing them towards common goals, you can create a positive and productive work environment for everyone involved and grow to become the better engineering leader you have the potential to be!
Take Intentional Action
Spend some time on step #1 – reflect. Take 15 minutes to write in a journal about where you see your leadership right now and areas you’d like to improve. Then ask 3 people for some honest feedback and see what comes up.
This personal reflection and request for feedback can be transformative!
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About Jeff Perry, MBA
Jeff Perry is a leadership and career expert known for helping individuals, teams, and organizations unlock their potential in all facets of life. Given his background in engineering, business, and leadership, he specializes in working with engineering and technical professionals, but the principles he shares are universal.
He is the author of the bestselling book, โThe Intentional Engineer: A Guide to a Purpose-Driven Life and Career for Engineers and Technical Professionals.โ
Jeff received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington.
A sought-after teacher and speaker, Jeff is happily married to Robin. Together they have four children, and live in beautiful Pullman, Washington.
You can reach Jeff on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcperry or learn more at jeff-perry.com.
Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below about these 3 simple habits that will make you a better engineering leader.