Is Becoming a Leader Right for You?
Once upon a time, Mike was a dedicated software developer in a bustling office. Mike adored his job, creating elegant lines of code and savouring the “you’re a genius” compliments. Life was grand in the coding world. Then came the crossroads.
Mike’s boss offered him a leadership role, prompting deep reflection. He grappled with the decision that many face: Is leadership right for me?
The Dilemma of Leadership
Career progression often appears linear, pushing us into managerial roles with promises of higher salaries and more responsibility.
However, only some are cut-out to do the work to be a leader. The transition can be bumpy, demanding sacrifices.
Mike’s Dilemma
Mike, the coding maestro, faced the classic dilemma. He pondered, “Can I give up coding for guiding others? Will I miss those ‘You’re a genius, Mike!’ moments?”
The Big Question: Are You Willing to Give Up Doing the Work?
Transitioning to leadership means relinquishing hands-on work. If you find satisfaction in executing tasks and can’t imagine a day without it, management might not be your path. Leadership means that you empower your team, meaning that you have to step back.
You can still contribute, but in a different way, by enabling your team’s success. Mike had to ask if he was ready to let his code take a back seat for his team’s growth.
The Sweet Temptation of Dopamine Hits
Mike relished praise, but leadership often means sharing the spotlight. Managers and leaders let their teams shine, redirecting praise to them. It requires satisfaction in their teams’ achievements (you’ll be getting your hit of dopamine from your part in it) rather than individual glory.
Ask yourself if you’re ready to be the unsung hero, ensuring your team’s success behind the scenes. If you do, leadership may be your calling. Mike had to consider letting others take credit for a job well done while he celebrated their success quietly.
The Need for Self-Assessment
Mike’s dilemma underscores the importance of self-assessment. Transitioning into leadership requires understanding your preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. Key questions to help:
Do You Enjoy Teaching and Mentoring? Leadership often involves guiding and nurturing team members. If you find joy in helping others grow and excel, it’s a promising sign that leadership might suit you.
Are You Comfortable Delegating? Effective leadership involves entrusting tasks to your team to help them develop. If you’re a control enthusiast who struggles to delegate, you might face challenges in a leadership role. We all know the feeling that we can do it quicker if we do it ourselves, right?
Can You Handle Responsibility and Pressure? Leaders bear significant responsibility for their team’s performance. Leadership could be your forte if you thrive under pressure and can make decisions confidently.
How Well Do You Communicate? Strong communication skills are vital in leadership. You’re on the right track if you’re a good listener, can convey your ideas clearly, and understand others.
Do You Embrace Continuous Learning? Leadership is a journey of constant growth and adaptation. If you’re open to learning and evolving, you’re more likely to succeed in this role.
Are You Ready to Prioritise Team Success? As a leader, your primary goal is the success of your team. If you genuinely prioritise the well-being and achievements of your team members, leadership might be a natural fit.
The Price of Leadership
Understand what you might have to give up:
Hands-On Work (most of the time): You’ll have to let go of the daily tasks you’re skilled at and start overseeing them instead.
Immediate Praise: The days of instant gratification from praise may be less frequent as you put your team’s recognition first.
Personal Projects: If you loved working on solo projects, you may have to leave those behind to focus on team efforts.
Work-Life Balance: Leadership often demands longer hours and more significant responsibilities, affecting your work-life balance.
Personal Comfort Zone: Stepping into leadership might push you beyond your comfort zone, challenging your decision-making and communication skills.
Criticism: You’ll face criticism and setbacks, and the responsibility for team performance can be stressful. This is unavoidable and should be the trigger to look for ways to develop the team.
Mike embraced leadership, knowing he’d trade some coding glory for guiding his team. Your choice is pivotal, hinging on adapting to new responsibilities.
So, what can you do?
Assess yourself after considering the questions above. If it sounds like something you want to do - focus on the red flags and look for opportunities to work on your weaknesses.
Leadership isn’t for everyone, so look for opportunities to focus on your craft and specialism.