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Learning how to code is important, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of a tech career. In fact, young talent’s budding coding skills can inadvertently be career-limiting when it provides opportunities to explore their full potential, especially as a leader.
But early in our careers, we don’t necessarily know that.
Therefore, the onus is on organizations to better define the skills needed for technology professionals to move into roles like chief information officer, chief technology officer, and broader operational or strategy roles—not just put them in the “programmer” wheel.
Forrester’s research shows that currently only 41% of women and 54% of men are effectively training to become leaders or managers in their respective companies.
See: The Covid-19 Gender Gap: Why Women Quit and How to Get Back to Work (Free PDF) (TechRepublic)
There are several key factors that must be top of mind for those looking to advance their careers in technology and build their skill sets. High on the list are getting as many different experiences as possible and embracing creativity.
It is important to realize that both elements are interrelated: one’s breadth of experience also helps to develop and improve one’s creativity. Innovation helps to repeat and fuel tests. However, technology leaders must do more to encourage their team members to improve both elements, so they can move into more leadership roles.
Get as many different experiences as possible
Let’s first discuss the benefits of having different experiences. When I started working in tech, I chose consulting and purposely went with a small company because I knew I would be thrown in the deep end very quickly. It’s a good thing when this kind of situation happens: you get to lead many projects while being exposed to many companies, industries and perspectives.
You learn to solve problems in creative and creative ways by weaving together different perspectives and inputs from as many experiences and people as possible. To make the most of those experiences, always ask, “Why?” You should have a curious nature by asking. or “How?” or “What if?” And for technologists, “What should be the technology stack?” Instead of thinking that way. Shift course and approach factors from a business solution perspective.
Embrace creativity as much as possible
I cannot stress enough the importance of innovation in business, especially in technology. According to Forrester, leading organizations encourage their employees to innovate to deliver better customer experiences and results. This results in greater competitive advantage and productivity for companies. By embracing innovation, you’ve unlocked a strong potential for advancement in your technology career, setting you apart from your traditional, engineering-minded peers.
While there are many ways to develop creativity, I have found these four traits to be extremely helpful in developing creative skills:
Find ways to adapt
Technology is always changing. Use that creativity to fuel your own adaptability. Avoid the temptation to choose one technology area to focus on. Mastery in tech is fleeting. Instead, change with technology.
Per Forster, technology leaders outperform their peers by meeting customer and employee needs, being innovative and resilient. Being “future fit,” these executives have the unique opportunity to be leaders in driving the growth and prosperity of their companies by developing the right technology strategy that delivers to their customers.
See: Home Video Setup: What You Need to Look and Sound Professional (TechRepublic Premium)
Take smart risks
When I graduated from college, my goal was to establish myself in a company where they could give me projects that I was unfamiliar with. I’m quickly proving that such smart risk-taking is essential to my career path.
Not being afraid to take risks is key because you can push yourself further to try new things or explore new areas of technology. But having an interest is only one part of the equation. Take it a step further by applying technologies in new and unique ways.
Be a problem solver
Problem solving is at the heart of why many people choose to pursue careers in technology. Unfortunately, over time, many people who work in technology fall into the problem of regularly identifying problems and risks, which is easier than identifying solutions.
One simple trick: For every risk or problem you identify, challenge yourself to come up with more than one creative solution. That personal challenge will not only help you alone, but it will also tend to become ingrained in the culture of your colleagues and company.
Embrace continuous innovation
If you work in tech but don’t want to learn about the latest innovations, you can still have a career in this field. Unfortunately, they are not exposed to new challenges or know how technology companies grow or find new ways to change.
It’s important to stay positive. Keep asking questions and attracting attention from others. This helps you better understand what’s new about technology, so you can anticipate where technology can improve businesses and lives.
Experience, curiosity, and creativity are critical ingredients for moving into leadership positions. For anyone looking to advance in technology, my advice is to simply unlock and harness the power of these three pillars.
For more Forrester insights for technology executives, visit here.
Learn more about how technology leaders are shaping the future of their organizations at the Forrester Technology & Innovation North America Forum, September 29-30, 2022.
Sharyn Lever leads Forrester’s research firm, overseeing the analyst, executive partner and analytics teams to provide tools that help executives and functional leaders — across technology, marketing, customer experience (CX), sales and product management — plan and pursue customer-centric growth.
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