As an engineering manager, you need to keep your technical skills sharp and relevant. But how do you find the time and resources to update your engineering skills in a fast-changing and competitive field? Here are some tips and strategies to help you stay on top of the latest trends, tools, and techniques in engineering.
The first step to update your engineering skills is to assess your current level of proficiency and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can use online self-assessment tools, feedback from your peers and clients, or performance reviews to evaluate your skills. You should also consider your career goals and the skills that are in demand in your industry and domain. This will help you prioritize your learning needs and set realistic and measurable objectives.
This is not an easy process and will take some time. I've found it helpful to assess myself based on my company's competencies. I like to make sure I review for my current role as well as the next promotional level. First I like to make sure I cover most of my competencies by focusing on my weaknesses. My goal is to be well-rounded and adaptable. If there isn't too much for me and I want to try to go the extra step then I will start looking at the next level. In order to get to the next level usually you have to show you are performing at that level for the most part. While not easy, being aware of what's required and what it takes to get to the next level is the first step to getting there. You don't get promoted by chance be intentional.
The next step is to choose the best learning methods for your style, budget, and schedule. There are many options available, such as online courses, webinars, podcasts, books, blogs, newsletters, and forums. You can also join professional associations, networks, and communities that offer learning opportunities and events. You should look for learning methods that are interactive, engaging, and relevant to your field and interests. You should also balance your learning between theory and practice, and seek feedback and guidance from mentors, coaches, or experts.
As an engineer, I always relied on online courses for most of my learning. But as an Engineering Manager there isn't as much out there. The ones out there are usually like a Master class that is above $1,000. I have looked into getting an outside mentor and career coach which seems like it could be helpful having an outside perspective. My own manager in my company is helpful but usually, the effort is mostly self-led. I've found it helpful to chat with other EMs in my company and pick their brains on how they operate their team and try to learn from their experience. Now I'm trying to learn from other EMs in LinkedIn through newsletters and such. Lastly, even though I am an EM, I have to make sure my technical skills are up to date.
The third step is to plan your learning schedule and commit to it. You should allocate a specific amount of time and frequency for your learning activities, and stick to them. You can use a calendar, a planner, or a learning management system to organize your learning schedule and track your progress. You should also set milestones and deadlines for your learning goals, and reward yourself for achieving them. You should also review your learning outcomes and adjust your plan as needed.
Most of my learning happens on the weekend. I use the weekday to review my team, projects, and any other EM duties. I like to have just one goal a month and will work towards it when I can. I do the same with my direct reports, 1-3 goals a month depending on the scope of the goal. So far it's been working for me. Besides this, I have LinkedIn and Medium where I browse and get some knowledge here and there throughout the days and weeks. More important than the goal is actually getting yourself in the habit of learning. Find what works for you whether that be structured or unstructured. For me it's loosely defined and flexible monthly goals.
The fourth step is to apply your learning to your work and projects. You should look for opportunities to use your new skills and knowledge in your daily tasks, challenges, and decisions. You should also share your learning with your team, colleagues, and clients, and seek feedback and suggestions. You should also document your learning achievements and showcase them in your portfolio, resume, or profile. This will help you demonstrate your value and credibility as an engineering manager.
Theories are great but anything practical is even better. I'm constantly looking to improve processes and efficiencies with myself and my team's workflows. The good thing is if your team culture is open to experimenting and trying new things out then that can lead to more chances to fail, learn and iterate. I keep a running document for all my reports and myself and fill them out at the end of the week. I note down the good and the bad and especially any great wins. If you're not writing down many wins then you know something is up and need to investigate.
The fifth step is to keep up with the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in engineering. You should follow the news, blogs, podcasts, and social media of leading experts, organizations, and influencers in your field. You should also attend conferences, workshops, webinars, and meetups that offer insights and updates on emerging topics and technologies. You should also participate in discussions, debates, and polls that challenge your assumptions and perspectives. You should also be open to new ideas, experiments, and collaborations that can enhance your engineering skills.
Following blogs and other leaders in the space is how I keep up to date with the trends. Usually something new comes out someone will write or make a video about it. That's perfect for me since they will do the research and condense the information so if I'm interested I can dive into details later. Participating in discussions through comments is great. I get to share my views and learn from others. I try to keep it friendly and professional as I'm not looking to make enemies but to improve my thinking and knowledge. Everyone has things I can learn from so the more I interact with others, the faster I can absorb knowledge.
The rate of change is very high and hence there is always too much to learn. Keeping a trends/tech radar and placing the skills in an appropriate category (quadrants/ concentric circles etc are good way to visualize) like watch, hold, explore, adopt etc, will help with prioritization and planning. Urgency and Importance are also good parameters for skill categorization. Intersection of general industry trends, applicability in the current job, future aspirations etc helps filter and prioritize the skills to pursue.
The sixth and final step is to update your engineering skills regularly and continuously. You should treat learning as a lifelong habit and a core part of your engineering manager role. You should also monitor the changes and developments in your industry and domain, and anticipate the future needs and expectations of your clients and stakeholders. You should also seek feedback and support from your peers, mentors, and managers, and learn from their experiences and expertise. You should also celebrate your learning successes and share your lessons and tips with others.
I find it helpful to foster a continous learning culture within your team, your contribution to this will force you to dive deep into specific topics and encourage reverse mentoring so that you can have fresh perspectives on new technologies. Another useful way is to join technical conferences which provides valuable networking opportunities with experts and introduce you to new ideas and technologies you might not encounter in your daily work.
I teach. It drives me to remain current and to find the niche where the effort has the most impact. I also continue with skill-building projects to post on this LI platform. I continue to grow and share that progress with all who care to be inspired by it and to build their own skills.