If you are scientist looking to transition into a management role, it is possible that you will at some point be passed over for a management role for a whole number of reasons. Sometimes there are reasons that you cannot do anything about, but there are certainly some that you can.
Read on to get an insight into what you can do something about....
1) You're not ready yet.
It doesn't hurt to have ambition but sometimes we try to run before we learn to walk. Being a manager requires an ability to use skills that plan, develop strategies, understand the business that you are working in and influence people enough so as to develop action that benefits your organisation.
If you are quite young or perhaps not long joined your organisation then maybe it isn't quite your time to shine yet.
If you have been passed over for a management role then seek feedback from your senior management team and start yourself on planning your development so that you have a better chance next time an opportunity comes along.
My advise to anyone that wants to become a manager regardless of what stage in their career they are at, is to start preparing now. Ask questions from trusted peers and managers as to what you need to do to be able to make that transition. What training is there available within your organisation that could help you to develop the right skills? Is there coaching available to help you to work on aspects of your personality that will help you to deliver when you need to?
2) You have great attention to detail but no attention to others.
Being a manager requires you to be self aware and be aware of others and how you affect them. A common challenge when a scientist gets promoted is that they have great attention to detail (which is great for managing budgets , projects etc) but sometimes they struggle with their people skills i.e an ability to get the team on board with a particular direction so as to deliver on key organisational objectives. It isn't enough just to know that stuff needs to get done, you need to be able to educate the team on what's happening in the organisation and the need for a particular form of action. When running a team you will be dealing with a set of individuals who all need to be communicated to in a way that engages them, helps them to understand and to deliver.
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| Scientists use coaching to prepare for management, find out how here. |
3) You haven't been noticed by senior management.
This is a common challenge for a scientist that is passionate about their work and really invest their whole being in what they need to do at work. The trouble is, whilst your work ethic is wonderful and you deliver your results, you are not demonstrating what your value could be at a higher level of role within the organisation. Have you demonstrated an understanding of strategy for your organisation? Have you shared ideas with the big guys? Have you shown that you can relate to the senior management team in a way that helps them to understand what you could do for your organisation?
If you have just kept your head down, done your work and done well, then you are unlikely to be promoted into management unless your managers are confident that you can add value to the business as a manager. Without demonstrating this you will simply be perceived as most valuable where you are now. Time to change perceptions!
4) You want to be a manager for the wrong reasons.
The best managers are the ones who are passionate about helping teams to meet corporate goals. If your motivation is about status or increased salary then anyone who is interviewing you will see this. They will be after someone who is passionate about making a difference, not feathering their nest and lording it all over people. Make this mistake at your peril!
5) You need to be more influential.
This relates to point 3 but applies to how you work with everyone. Find a way to help others in your team to be successful at what they do and this will be noticed not only by management but by your peers. If everyone around you value you for your positive influence then you are more likely to move up the ladder. Being encouraging, helpful and supportive brings short and long term benefits. Act in a selfish way and one day your behaviour will catch up with you. Be a positive influence and this will catch up with you too but with huge benefits such as improving your reputation and other people's perception of your value.
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