As a leader, I’ve already learned many life and career lessons, yet a singular truth resonates with me: growth requires sacrifice. I have learned that the hard way, but I have no regrets, as it was also a valuable lesson. I would like to share my insights with other young career professionals and aspiring leaders to grapple with this concept and appreciate its profound impact on personal and professional development.
After seven years of working as an embedded systems tester for various devices in automotive and industrial automation areas, I thought about summarizing some of my experiences in this field. This isn’t by any chance a complete or exhaustive list of items, though it comes from many different test campaigns that I took part in or led. During this time, I also researched the subject vigorously trying to learn and implement good practices to the process. These experiences have equipped me with insights and lessons that have shaped my perspective on the art and science of testing. However, the field is so vast and continually evolving that I still continue to encounter surprising facets.
For anyone stepping into a leadership role within an engineering context, the challenge of maintaining a balance between technical expertise and leadership skills can seem daunting. How does one navigate this intricate dance between the hard, technical skills that got you to this position and the soft, interpersonal skills you need to succeed as a leader?
Think of your organization as a garden full of different types of plants, each with its own unique needs and requirements. As a leader, it’s your job to ensure that each plant is nurtured and cared for properly. You must understand the unique characteristics of each plant, provide them with the right amount of water and sunlight, and prune them when necessary to ensure that they grow strong and healthy. Just as a gardener must be able to anticipate the needs of each plant and provide them with the proper care, a good leader must be able to anticipate the needs of each department and provide them with the support they need to succeed. It can be done only when leading with emotional intelligence and empathy.