How does one most effectively make the transition into management from an Individual Contributor?
I've been an individual contributor for 4 years in Tech, have 8 years of experience total. I'm finding it difficult to make the management transition despite having management experience, performing beyond expectations, and having a genuine passion for enablement and development.
I'd appreciate any success stories or pointers you can offer in regards to this transition.
Rising Star
After 2years as a SWE individual contruibutor, I talked my manager into promoting me even without a salary adjustment. I then exceeded all performance metrics, added value to the role/team/company, and up-skilled as much as I could. Six months later, I started applying externally for an even higher title and doubled my salary. It only took me 10years to become a VP.
Sometimes, you have to use the extra work yet less pay to pave the way to a brighter future.
I asked for the opportunity and it wasn’t given. I didn’t negotiate the salary as you did. Smart move to stay on the same salary. But my company could afford it and I needed to be paid more. However when I came forward for a position it was denied. It broke me to pieces.
I am confronting this obstacle as well. 10 years in tech, 5 leading a team as a senior individual contributor, have managed outsource resources and freelancers but haven’t had opportunity or budget for any headcount / direct reports. The way I am approaching it is by taking certifications for leadership and management, getting metrics from my current role on how many projects and relationships I simultaneously manage, and areas in which I provide feedback and direction. Also reading a lot of books on management approaches and testing them out on my mentees (I got a group of 11 now). I’ll let you know shortly if it works out haha
What are your favorite management books to date?
I found acting into a role where the management role dimensions can be demonstrated by you will pay off.
Not volunteering for everything but getting experience in line management for example will help you be more visible.
Be a decision maker, be prepared to lose ‘friends’ as it’s a lonely place when you make the jump.
Tell your story, nobody has a crystal ball but be clear on what your North Star is.
Best of luck
As people have said, it’s a bit of acting and doing the part of the role you want without the official designation. Strengthen those actual skills with some academic work as well and ensure your management team knows that. If they are any good, they would put two and two together and realize what you are doing. Shell 1 has it down! Good luck. I on the other hand went the other way, back to individual contributor , maintaining a very good compensation: WLB
It’s also about mentoring and managing younger members of staff without being their official line manager or superior. Go the extra mile, take people under your wing and then it becomes undeniable that you are a good leader and worthy for that responsibility
I would definitely consider applying to StartUps or recently IPO’d company. These companies typically allow quick growth opportunities