Becoming a New Manager - Todd DeLuca - STC Summit 2015
Have you wondered how to transition from a sole contributor to a manager? What if there are few opportunities to advance? How do others recognize your potential? Maybe you’ve just been thinking about that ‘leap’ but don’t know if leading others is for you.
If you’re not sure where to start, then review this informative session and learn from someone who has been there. Todd DeLuca outlines his experience of being a lone writer to leading a Technical Communications department. More specifically, he describes activities and actions that helped him demonstrate his capability to decision makers that helped him stand out as a potential leader (to get the job) !
Everyone’s leadership path follows its own course. After viewing this session, you’ll have pointers on how to pave your own path and receive some ‘newbie’ advice on what you should do when you reach your destination.
3. Why are you here?
What we’ll cover:
•My journey
•Preparing for theTrip
•Settling In
•Questions
•Classroom pic
4. Leadership is a journey,
not a destination.
@TechCommTodd #stc15
Becoming a New Manager
5. My Background
• Master’s Degree inTech
Comm
• 15Years in Software
Development
• Manage team ofTechWriters
• Active STCVolunteer
• Conference Speaker
• Past Chapter President
(Philadelphia Metro)
This talk applies to anybody interested in advancing to the next level of their career, even if being a manager isn’t right for you (at this time).
Why am I qualified?
Where was I when it happened for me? (or to me)
Senior Technical Writer (12 years experience)
Lone Writer (Did not work on a team – Not a supervisor)
No Technical Communication team (new department)
No manager position (new position)
Worked remotely (primarily from home)
New boss (< 6 months) – met only once
What did I do?
Shared my experience and accomplishments
Offered ideas and solutions (also provided feedback)
Worked as a ‘Department of One’
Managed myself and took initiative (didn’t need supervision)
Kept busy and expanded role and expectations
Documented my work and activities (kept manager informed)
Did work outside of usual boundaries
Collaborated with other teams
Maintained standards (wrote handbook and style guide)
Shared my accomplishments (self promoted)
Expressed enthusiasm and desire to improve and change
Goal of this presentation.
Shift from being a passenger to the driver of your career.
Some tools and advices to help you get started.
Goal: Understand why you want to advance and determine how ready or close you are to making the next step.
Do you have what’s needed to get to your destination?
Pic car packing
Gut check time.
Goal: Understand why you want to advance, what your goals are, and why you are considering this path.
Why do you want to be a manager?
What kind of leader are you?
Are you more of a supervisor (monitor and report) or manager (actively direct and make decisions)?
Do you still expect or want to ‘work’ and be a writer?
What’s your motivation?
Money, Responsibility, Respect or authority
What are you looking for?
What are your goals?
What expectations do you have?
Will you make a difference
Are you prepared to not do your current job?
Do you want to work for the same company/group?
Is your company the right fit?
Do you want to work with the other managers? (imagine them as colleagues, not ‘them’)
Do you like working for the company?
Do you enjoy the company culture?
Is the company growing? (how will slots open up)
Maybe your best chance or opportunity is elsewhere
Goal: Determine how ready or close you are to making the next step.
Understand your chances of being promoted.
What are your strengths?
Where can you improve?
What experience do you have?
Are you trustworthy?
Are you enthusiastic?
Are you known?
Are you respected by your peers?
What are your people skills?
How well do you get along with others?
Are you compatible with company culture?
Both team members and leadership (will they want you in the club)
(do you want to be a member and act like it – drink the Kool Aid)
How prepared are you to move?
Who will do your current job if you’re promoted?
Is there documentation to train others?
Are there any solid candidates to succeed you?
Goal: Know your chances and where to find the next opportunity.
Goal: Map out a plan to pull into the next stop on your journey.
What is the next promotion level?
Do you know the requirements?
How close are you to supervise?
Are there spots or potential openings you can pull into?
Goal: Identify and size-up potential competitors
Reference worksheet
Who else might compete for the job?
Are they in front of or behind you?
How entrenched is current manager?
Have they been doing job a long time?
Are they moving? Upward or onward?
Is there competition?
Others in your group or might be potential candidates
Goal: Find or identify support
Worksheet
Are there coworkers who will support you?
Is there somebody who’s been there?
People who can vouch for you or provide reference?
Do you know someone who might be a mentor?
Does somebody you know have an inside track or ear to the ground?
Goal: Perform concrete actions and activities to be ready to pull over when the opportunity comes.
Gear shift pic
Goal: Let others know what’s happening and where you want to go.
Goal: Be a positive and conscientious driver that others want to travel with or share the road with.
Goal: Write down and document your current role (responsibilities, processes, and procedures) in order to train your replacement.
No position is permanent and it’s up to you to search and be ready for the next opportunity.
In the mean time, act like a leader (worksheet list).
Goal: Perform concrete actions and activities to be ready to pull over when the opportunity comes.
Goal: Understanding how different the new role is?
Goal: First learn what you have to do, before you jump into what you want to do.
Advice: Start slow and get comfortable before you hit the gas.
Get to know the new car, how it works, and your passengers.
It’s not about you, but it is. Don’t try too hard or do too much too soon.
Don’t judge how if fits until you’ve had some time to adjust.
Spend time with the vehicle and passengers.
Find balance with new role. Don’t judge it right away.
Management is a skill, like driving – it can be taught.
Take the wheel and drive.
Act like a manager and build confidence.
You’ll improve with time and practice.
Don’t wait until everything is lined up or conditions are perfect to hit the road.
The longer you wait, the more crowded the road gets and the further behind you start.
You’ll forget something, get lost, have a malfunction, deal with weather, have unruly passengers – it’s all part of the journey and the experience everybody goes through.
You can always take a break and pull off the road (temporarily).