Case 8: From Lab to Boardroom: Engineering Lessons for Driving Change in Business and International Development

Topics: #STEM #WomenInSTEM #TransferableSkills #Change

I trained for five years as a chemical engineer and worked for few more years as a humanitarian engineer, building a strong foundation in designing and implementing solutions in complex environments. This foundation made for a smooth transition into international relations, development, business development, and even management consulting fields that, at first glance, may seem far removed from engineering. But in reality, one path naturally led to the next. The core principles I learned as an engineer have supported each step, providing a framework for navigating challenges and tackling problems creatively while aligning with industry standards and stakeholder expectations. Below are six principles I took from my engineering training and work experience that have helped address significant challenges from junior roles to executive positions, providing a durable foundation for ongoing professional development.

1. The Perfect Is the Enemy of the Good: Mastering Optimal Stopping

From early on, engineering teaches that aiming for perfection can waste time, resources, and energy. Engineering is about optimization knowing when a solution is “good enough” to function effectively without draining resources on diminishing returns. This skill has been invaluable in development and business, where a mindset focused on delivering value, rather than unattainable perfection, is essential. Early in my career, focusing on optimizing rather than perfecting helped me create practical solutions that met business needs under tight deadlines. Whether it was developing a proposal with limited data or managing project resources, I learned to balance speed with quality, an approach that has only become more critical in executive roles. Aiming for “optimal stopping” helps executive leaders avoid scope creep and enables faster iteration, allowing teams to adapt solutions more dynamically.

2. Thinking in Mental Models: Frameworks for Navigating Complexity

Mental models -structured ways of understanding complex systems- are a cornerstone of engineering, enabling practitioners to break down problems and see patterns more clearly. These models served as vital tools when I began working in international development, especially in contexts where data was sparse, and decisions were far from straightforward. In more than one instance, I applied feedback loops, a common engineering model, to collect and adjust responses to local community needs, helping to shape initiatives based on real-time insights.

Throughout my career, mental models have allowed me to synthesize large amounts of information, identify core issues, and find actionable insights. In business development, using models like Porter’s Five Forces enabled me to create structured analysis frameworks for markets, but always with the understanding that models are adaptable guides, not rigid truths. Engineering taught me that models are only as valuable as our ability to use them flexibly. As an executive, the ability to structure complexity for decision-making and swiftly adapt models as conditions change is foundational for effective leadership.

3. Thinking in Systems: Embracing Interconnectedness

A systems-oriented mindset, instilled by engineering training, focuses not only on individual components but also on their interactions. Early in my development work, I saw how initiatives could impact public health, education, or employment, underscoring that isolated projects can yield unintended consequences without a systems-based perspective. My engineering training helped me understand these interactions, anticipate potential secondary effects, and build solutions that embraces a portfolio approach and aligned with broader community objectives.

In business, systems thinking has been key when considering how a new product or process change might impact everything from marketing and supply chains to customer support. By approaching challenges holistically, I’ve been able to design solutions that respect the interconnected nature of organizations and communities. As an executive, seeing how parts of the business interrelate and align with organizational goals allows for strategies that support long-term growth. Systems thinking helps alleviate pain points in coordination, ensuring different departments and initiatives support one another rather than working in silos.

4. Experimentation and Testing: Building Through Iteration

Engineering instills a commitment to experimentation, where every test is an opportunity to learn, improve, and refine. Early in my career, this approach helped me adapt quickly to unique environments where assumptions needed real-time testing and adjustment. In business development, piloting initiatives allowed me to gather feedback, refine strategies, and develop insights that informed larger projects.

Embracing experimentation revealed that “failure” often yields the most valuable data, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement. In my junior roles, I quickly learned to apply these approaches, making significant impacts by building confidence in unconventional ways. I understood how to cultivate that confidence, demonstrating the value of calculated risk-taking to my colleagues. This experience proved especially beneficial in innovation within rigid systems, where the cost of decision-making can be detrimental and skepticism -often justified- surrounds new ideas. Experimentation not only paves the way for informed assumptions but also gives innovation a chance by allowing minimal resource investment to prove concepts. This process enables decision-makers to have calculated confidence rather than gamble, which is critical when the stakes involve significant consequences for people's lives in humanitarian action and development.

As an executive, I prioritize fostering this kind of mindset within my teams to encourage innovation while maintaining high levels of ethics and delivery. Experimentation allows us to test hypotheses on a small scale, measure impact, and adjust as necessary before committing to full-scale projects. Ultimately, it alleviates decision-making pressures and strengthens initiatives incrementally, serving as a cornerstone for sustainable growth.

5. Translating Theory to Action: Bridging Knowledge and Execution

One of engineering’s most valuable aspects is its emphasis on translating theory into real-world solutions. Engineers don’t just learn the “why” behind a concept; they learn how to apply it in practice. In development, this helped me turn theoretical concepts, like microfinance models, into tailored solutions that genuinely resonated with local entrepreneurs’ needs.

In business development, translating theory to action has meant turning abstract strategies into executable plans, grounding models in real-world application to drive results. This principle has been particularly important in roles where strategic ideas must be converted into operational plans. Engineering’s emphasis on practical application prevents decision-makers from staying in abstraction, fostering a results-driven approach that aligns with organizational goals.

6. Process is King: Creating Sustainable, Scalable Solutions

Process-oriented design is fundamental in engineering, viewed as the foundation of consistency and reliability. In development work, the establishment of clear processes allowed me to implement repeatable, scalable solutions that could be adapted across contexts with minimal quality loss. This process-driven focus was instrumental in building successful initiatives, whether for water access projects or educational programs.

In business, process ensures that growth is sustainable and scalable. Implementing quality controls, refining onboarding systems, and creating streamlined workflows are key to maintaining predictability and consistency across departments. Engineers understand that processes are not about rigid steps but about building a structure that allows for replicability and stability. As an executive, establishing strong processes helps teams deliver predictable outcomes, avoid burnout, and create an environment where innovation and efficiency coexist.

Conclusion

Engineering imparts a unique way of thinking that transcends technical tasks and extends into multifaceted fields like development, business, and consulting. The principles of optimization, mental modeling, systems thinking, experimentation, practical application, and process-driven design are highly transferable, creating a strong foundation for navigating complexity, managing resources, and building sustainable impact across domains. This background has made my transition into international relations, business development, and management consulting more seamless, equipping me with a versatile toolkit essential for growth and success in any industry.

Until next time,

Wigdan Seedahmed