Episode Transcript
You’ve noticed that some engineers are just on the radar. They’re visible and recognized. They’re targeted for sponsorship and get up the career ladder fast.
Sometimes this is because they have a knack or a particular skillset. Sometimes it’s because their personalities mesh well with the leadership team. Sometime it’s because they’re in the right place at the right time.
For whatever reason they seem to be the chosen ones. In my experience the chosen ones were mostly men. Management wasn’t used to seeing women as engineers. Hopefully that’s changing in your workplace.
You can’t always be among the chosen. You can’t always be lucky that way. Instead you might feel invisible or ignored. You’re wondering if you’ll ever be selected for that promotion. When will you get the chance to show everyone the talented leader you are?
But, good news, you don’t need to wait for that. You don’t need to wait until you’re “chosen.” In fact, it’s better if you don’t wait.
You can start showcasing your leadership competency now.
If no one’s giving you any opportunities to show what you can do as a leader, then create them yourself.
Showcase Your Engineering Leadership Now
You’ve heard people say you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have. You can also start doing the work you want to do in addition to the job you have.
Visualizing yourself in the role and acting the part will get you there faster. Showcase your leadership competencies now to get noticed. To be more visible. To increase your chances of being selected for that promotion.
4 Ways to Showcase Your Engineering Leadership Competency
Here are 4 ways for you to showcase your leadership competency now:
- Take on leadership tasks in your current job. Or on your current team. Step in to lead a particular task. Motivate team members to work together and build synergy. Or take charge of implementing a new process or idea.
- Offer to do tasks for other leaders. Choose tasks that get you out in front of people or connected with people of influence. Other leaders love this btw. Who wouldn’t love to have someone help them with their workload?
- Take on a persistent problem and resolve it yourself. An issue that you’ve noticed, but no one has time to address. You can be on the lookout for these kinds of things. Typically they’re all over the place.
- Volunteer for activities that have a leadership component. These are the activities that they’re always looking for someone to lead. Lead this committee. Or run this event. Or help with these summer hires. Whatever it may be. Choose a short term activity that gets you some visibility.
These actions give you practice for the “real thing.” You’ll be building more relevant experience and adding to your resume. You’ll show your management that you have the intention and the ability to be a leader. You’ll show your professionalism and risk-taking skills.
Taking these actions is a great way for you to get noticed. It’s a demonstration of your capability for those who haven’t seen it yet.
And once you’re seen, you can’t be unseen.
BTW, make sure you get credit for what you do. Tout your work. Ask your colleagues to speak up about what you’re doing. And give special attention to these leadership tasks in your performance review input.
You Have Engineering Leadership Skills – They Just Need to Be Seen
Just because you’re not getting good leadership opportunities doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be. Don’t get caught in the trap of assuming you’re not good enough. There are many possible reasons why your skills aren’t being seen.
And now that I think of it, this would be a great topic for a strategy session. Let me help you sort out these roadblocks and brainstorm a strategy for showcasing your leadership skills.
This is one of those approaches that is not overly difficult and has high payoff. So it’s worth putting a plan together. To sign up, go to HerEngineeringCareer.com and click on Book A Strategy Session.
Others may be good at getting noticed. But that doesn’t imply their skills are better or stronger than yours. It doesn’t imply that they’ll make better leaders than you.
I encourage you to start showcasing your leadership competency now. Try some of the suggestions in this episode and find the ones that are feasible for you.
Your talents and skills will become more prominent. Your management will take note. And you’ll see more leadership opportunities come your way.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast we’ll investigate your commitment to the organization vs. your commitment to your career. I hope you’ll join me for Episode 71.
