Transitioning from an SME (Subject Matter Expert) to a leader of teams can be a daunting task, but it is also a rewarding opportunity for professional growth. The question is, do you know who to take the Journey from Expert to Leader? Are you Owning the Journey from Technical Expert (SME) to Leader?
As an SME, you have likely acquired technical expertise in your field and demonstrated your ability to solve complex problems. However, transitioning to a leader requires a different set of skills and strategies that go beyond technical expertise.
Understanding the Journey from Technical Expert to Leader
The journey from technical expert to leader requires a shift in mindset and approach. As an SME, you are used to focusing on your individual contribution and technical expertise. However, as a leader of teams, you must be able to guide and motivate others towards a common goal. This requires a shift in focus from individual tasks to team objectives.
Key Principles of Transitioning from SME to Leader of Teams
In taking the leap, of owning the Journey from Technical Expert (SME) to Leader of teams successfully, there are several key principles to keep in mind:
- Develop Self-Awareness: To be an effective leader, you must understand your strengths, weaknesses, and leadership style. Self-awareness will help you identify areas for growth and development as a leader.
- Build Trust: As a leader, you must build trust with your team. This involves being transparent, communicating openly, and following through on commitments.
- Communicate Effectively: Effective communication is critical to leadership. Leaders must be able to articulate their vision clearly and build strong relationships with stakeholders. They must also be able to listen actively and respond appropriately to feedback.
- Foster Collaboration: Leaders must be able to build strong partnerships with stakeholders and other leaders within the organization. Collaboration is key to achieving shared goals and driving organizational change.
Practices for Transitioning from SME to Leader of Teams
In addition to the key principles of transitioning from SME to leader of teams, there are several practices that can help you make this transition successfully:
- Seek Out Opportunities for Leadership Development: Look for opportunities to develop your leadership skills, such as attending leadership training or working with a mentor.
- Embrace Change: As a leader, you must be willing to embrace change and adapt to new situations. This involves being open to new ideas and perspectives.
- Build Relationships: Building relationships with stakeholders, other leaders, and team members is critical to successful leadership. Take the time to get to know your team members and understand their strengths and weaknesses.
- Delegate Effectively: Delegation is an important aspect of leadership. Leaders must be able to identify tasks that can be delegated and provide clear instructions and expectations.
Transitioning from an SME to a leader of teams requires a shift in mindset, approach, and skill set.
By understanding the key principles and practices of leadership, you can make this transition successfully and take your career to the next level. Keep in mind that this is a continuous journey, and there will always be room for growth and development as you become an even more effective leader of teams.
The body of knowledge
Whilst committed to an international career, I had a lot of time loitering in airport bookshops, and reading planes (particularly flying Air China (no TV)! It is here that I have filtered through the Body of Knowledge of the best practice thinkers in this area.
I was left to ponder, was I Owning the Journey from Technical Expert (SME) to Leader? Some of the best thinkers in this space and their relevant works that can provide insights into the transition from technical SME to leadership:
Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek is a leadership expert, author, and motivational speaker who is best known for his TED Talk on “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.” In his book “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t,” he emphasizes the importance of creating a work environment that prioritizes the well-being of employees and fosters trust and collaboration.
Daniel Goleman
Daniel Goleman is a psychologist and author who is widely recognized for his work on emotional intelligence. In his book “Leadership: The Power of Emotional Intelligence,” he argues that effective leadership requires a high level of emotional intelligence and the ability to manage one’s emotions and those of others.
John C. Maxwell
John C. Maxwell is a leadership expert and author who has written over 100 books on leadership.
In his book “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” he outlines 21 laws that he believes are essential for effective leadership, including the law of influence, the law of process, and the law of the lid.
Stephen Covey
Stephen Covey was an author, educator, and businessman who is best known for his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” In this book, Covey emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility, prioritization, and effective communication in achieving success as a leader.
What separates ‘Good’ from ‘Great’
When it comes to what ‘great” looks like during ‘the Journey from Expert to Leader’ transition, there are several key factors to consider.
Great
Great leaders typically have a strong sense of vision, are excellent communicators, and possess a high degree of emotional intelligence. They also prioritize the well-being of their team members and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. In contrast, good leaders may possess some of these qualities but may not have the same level of vision or ability to inspire and motivate their team to achieve great things. Ultimately, the journey from technical SME to leadership requires a willingness to learn, adapt, and grow, as well as a commitment to developing the skills and qualities that are essential for effective leadership.
here are some recommended books on the topic of transitioning from technical SME into leadership, along with links to their Amazon pages:
- “The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You” by Julie Zhuo
- “The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter” by Michael D. Watkins
- “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity” by Kim Scott
- “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t” by Simon Sinek
- “Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” by Liz Wiseman
These books offer valuable insights into the journey from technical expert to leader, and provide practical guidance on how to develop the necessary skills and mindset for success.
Reference Material
Some additional references to papers and research on the topic of transitioning from technical SME to leadership from various business schools:
- “The Seven Skills You Need to Thrive in the C-Suite” by Elena Lytkina Botelho, Kim Rosenkoetter Powell, Stephen Kincaid, and Dina Wang (Harvard Business Review)
- “Becoming a Leader: Early Career Challenges Faced by MBA Graduates” by Lauren Rivera and Andras Tilcsik (Harvard Business School)
- “From Technical Expert to Strategic Leader” by Jeanne G. Harris and Cynthia R. Jasper (Columbia Business School)
- “Technical to Adaptive Expertise: Navigating the Transition” by Allen G. Schmieder-Ramirez, Beth J. Houskamp, and Arthur L. Costa (Stern School, New York University)
- “The Hard Truth About Being a Technical Expert and a Manager” by Prithwiraj Choudhury and Evan Starr (Wharton School, Upenn)
- “From Technical Expertise to Strategic Leadership: An MBA for Engineers” by Benjamin R. Daus-Haberle, Michael E. Gorman, and Edward F. Crawley (Booth School at University of Chicago)
- “The Challenge of Leadership: From Technical Expert to Strategic Leader” by Jeff Leiter and Thomas L. Case (Kellogg School, North Western)
- “Transitions: Balancing Technical Expertise and Leadership” by Greg Allenby (Fuqua School, Duke University)
Additional References
I hope these additional resources are also helpful as you start Owning the Journey from Technical Expert (SME) to Leader!
- “Becoming a Leader Who Fosters Innovation” by Linda A. Hill and Kent Lineback from Harvard Business Review
- “The Seven Imperatives to Keeping Meetings on Track” by Richard E. Boyatzis, Melvin L. Smith, and Ellen Van Oosten from Harvard Business Review
- “Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail” by John P. Kotter from Harvard Business Review
- “The Discipline of Teams” by Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith from Harvard Business Review
- “How to Influence Without Authority” by Allan R. Cohen and David L. Bradford from Harvard Business Review
- “Why Good Leaders Make Bad Decisions” by Andrew Campbell, Jo Whitehead, and Sydney Finkelstein from Harvard Business Review
- “What Makes a Leader?” by Daniel Goleman from Harvard Business Review
- “What Really Works” by Nitin Nohria, William Joyce, and Bruce Roberson from Harvard Business Review
- “Managing Oneself” by Peter F. Drucker from Harvard Business Review
- “The Power of Full Engagement” by Tony Schwartz and Jim Loehr from Harvard Business Review
