You're a skilled programmer aiming for leadership. How can you make the transition within your organization?

Improve by finding and learning the skills for the role that you want. Get certified. Collaborate inside the team sharing your knowledge and showing leadership. Talk with your manager about your target and see if he is considering it as a good opportunity for the company and offers you developing support like establishing a step-by-step transition plan and approving the training company usually use for the role, involve you in leading activities and assign a mentor to guide you. You may also find external projects where you can volunteer freely to gain experience where you feel your leadership style is a fit.

Shifting from programming to leadership is like leveling up in a game—you’ve mastered one skill set, now it's time to unlock new abilities. While coding sharpens your logical thinking, leadership challenges you to think beyond the code. You’re no longer just solving problems but guiding others to do the same. Volunteer for cross-functional projects to hone your communication and decision-making skills, and learn how to delegate. Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about empowering your team to succeed. You already have the technical chops; now, it’s about combining that with vision, strategy, and people skills to lead the pack.

Boosting your visibility is like turning on a spotlight—suddenly, you’re not just part of the team; you’re the one driving conversations and shaping outcomes. Make it a habit to speak up in meetings with insights that tie directly to your organization’s objectives. Volunteer to lead small projects or share your expertise in presentations to stakeholders. These actions show that you’re not just a tech wizard but also a proactive leader who can effectively communicate and inspire others. By stepping into the limelight, you send a clear message to decision-makers: you’re ready for more significant challenges and responsibilities.

Being active and showing initiative and leadership will catch your team leaders' attention. Offering to replace or participate as observer in meeting stakeholders will help you practice and grow. Remarking yourself to managers shows them you want to evolve from being a doer to guiding people. You may also express your desire in your annual personal professional performance analysis discussion you have with your boss and see if this wish is well received, or it makes him want you to stay as you are being more valuable in your current role. You might get instead a raise. You decide if you prepare in private for what you want to become. If he needs a person for the role you aspire to, he will approve and enable your transition in the role.

Fostering strong connections across departments is vital for any aspiring leader. By understanding the broader business landscape and collaborating with colleagues, you not only strengthen your own insights but also create a network of trust and support. Leadership isn’t just about managing—it’s about influencing and aligning efforts toward shared goals. Being a dependable colleague who collaborates effectively across teams is a key stepping stone to becoming a leader who can inspire and drive positive change.

Leadership goes beyond technical expertise—it’s about mastering adaptability. While you might have Python or JavaScript down cold, leading a team presents an entirely new set of challenges. Embrace continuous learning by exploring leadership courses and diving into areas like management strategies, business operations, and team dynamics. Staying up to date with industry trends on both technical and managerial fronts shows you’re not just a coder, but someone ready to evolve with the bigger picture. It’s this growth mindset that will set you apart as a future leader.

Mentoring junior programmers can indeed be a powerful way to develop your leadership skills. It's not just about teaching technical concepts but also about fostering growth, building confidence, and inspiring others. By stepping into this role, you practice the essential leadership qualities of patience, communication, and guidance—skills that are invaluable as you progress in your career.

Lead by example in your current role is showing your willing to become a leader and a natural inclination for this role. If it is well received, it will open you the path to become a leader and have your own team to lead. If you show daily the qualities needed, you will be seen, and if company is looking for people like you to form them becoming future managers, you will be recruited for such position. If not, don't be shy, go and ask for it.

Based on my experience with enterprise-level companies like LS&Co and Dell Computers, leading by example is an effective path to gaining leadership roles within an organization. Building strong relationships with teams across departments, such as sales and marketing, is key—having advocates who can speak highly of you in your absence helps increase your visibility. Continuously improve your leadership skills through self-learning, and aim to participate in conferences as a speaker, not just an attendee. Always remember Agile's core principle: "welcome changing requirements, even late in development, to leverage change for the customer's competitive advantage."