Episode Transcript
You’re sitting back and waiting for your time to lead. For your opportunity to be a leader.
You’re waiting until you have enough experience. Or waiting until you’re sufficiently trained.
You’re waiting for that job opening. And for someone to ask you to take it on. Someone to invite you to apply for the position.
If any of these things happen, then you’ll be more comfortable jumping in. You’ll be ready to lead.
But it’s not true that you have to wait for any of these things to happen.
Really, you’re just holding yourself back.
You may feel uncomfortable. But that doesn’t mean you’re not ready.
The only way to build your leadership talent is to lead.
Start now. Learn as you go.
You have everything you need.
4 Common Misconceptions Women Engineers Have About Leadership
A big reason you hold yourself back is because you have some misconceptions about leadership.
Here are 4 of the common ones:
- You think you need to have all the characteristics of a good leader before you apply for the job.
When in fact you should start now and learn on the job.
And adapt these characteristics – as you go – to your own style and approach.
You’re already a leader in some capacity. You don’t have to wait until you have all the characteristics of a good leader before you be one.
If that were the case, you may never apply.
- You think you have to know all the right answers to make good leadership decisions.
When in fact leaders choose the best option based on their experience, the evidence at hand, input from key people, and what feels right.
If a question has a yes-or-no answer, then the decision is a no-brainer.
But most decisions are more complex than that.
Leadership decision making is not a matter of knowing the right answer. There is no clear right or wrong.
- You think you have to mimic other great leaders to be one yourself.
When in fact there’s no one best way to lead.
You can learn from others for sure – and you should. But you can only be successful if you follow your own way.
Your leadership style must be aligned with you. It must be from your own heart.
- You think you have to have the same skills and strengths as your predecessor to be the best candidate for a leadership position.
When in fact this is not expected of you at all.
You are your own person. You have your own skills and strengths.
And you can be wildly successful in that leadership position, regardless of whether or not your skills and strengths match those of your predecessor.
Know the truth about leadership. And don’t be held back by these common misconceptions.
How to Take Advantage of Leadership Opportunity in Your Engineering Career
If you’re unsure how to take advantage of leadership opportunities, here are a few ways you can step in.
Start Where You Are.
Find ways to lead others in your current job or with your current team.
For example you can help new people learn the ropes. Or otherwise see where you can guide others through a process.
Or train your team on a new tool or approach.
Learn Outside the Job.
Volunteer to lead in community activities or professional organizations you belong to.
This is a great, low-risk approach to picking up leadership skills you can eventually use in your job.
Offer Your Skills.
Note where there are places or situations at work that can use help in the form of your particular skills, interests or strengths.
And offer to step in and lead.
You may even suggest that a position be created for you.
There are benefits to stepping into these leadership opportunities:
- It shows initiative.
- It increases your visibility.
- It positively impacts your network.
- And of course it builds your leadership capabilities.
The Best Way to Step Into Your Leadership Role
The biggest benefits occur, however, when you step up and apply for that leadership position.
The one that provides you more challenge and upward mobility.
Stretch into your leadership role. No need to wait. No need to hold back. Start now.
You’re ready.
If you’re still unsure of taking the leadership leap, sign up for a strategy session with me. I can help you see the many ways you’re ready for that challenge.
And we can put a strategy together to launch your leadership journey.
No matter what path you’re following in your engineering career, there are opportunities for you to lead that move you farther down that path – maybe even faster.
You’ll learn to recognize those opportunities that resonate with your vision.
The roles that bring you the great experiences in your career. The roles that bring you joy and success.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast we’ll explore 2 keys to moving up in your engineering career: ownership and opportunity.
Be sure to tune in for Episode 141.
