Transitioning From Expert to Manager

Moving from an expert’s role to that of a manager’s is not an easy transition. While you need to apply the knowledge you gathered as an individually functioning expert, the way you apply your knowledge is completely different. As an expert when your technical acumen has already shown results and is appreciated, that’s when you will be offered a managerial role. But there is little help for those who transition from expert to manager roles, which often causes confusion, friction, lack of confidence, and ultimately bad performance.

“The conventional definition of management is getting work done through people, but real management is developing people through work.” – Agha Hasan Abedi 

Transitioning from expert to manager means your role is changing from that of a specialist in your area of expertise to being an integrator of that expertise. You will need to become a guide and mentor from a mere contributor. While you motivated yourself as an expert, as a manager you will be in charge of motivating your team. You will also be responsible for and towards your entire team rather than just being responsible for yourself.

Transitioning From Expert to Manager

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are moving up the ladder from an individual expert into a managerial position.

Understand your new role

As a manager you need to think solely from the team’s perspective rather than your own. Your role will change from focusing on your own technical expertise to your role as a leader who can bring out your team members’ expertise. So take some time to refresh your goals and professional mission for the demands of this new role.

Work on being a team

In the initial period of your managerial position, it is important to work with your teammates to create a bond and a sense of a team. This is a critical time to build trust with your team who are experts just like you were. Start to work on a relationship with your team that speaks of mutual reliability and respect, trust, and maturity.

Start coaching your team

Start identifying each team member’s strengths and areas for improvement. Find a role within your team for each member and begin to invest in their growth. This means you need to help them strengthen their strengths and work on their weaknesses. Each person will need you to be a different kind of leader and guide. Find what works for each and take it upon yourself to be their mentor. That doesn’t mean you yourself need to teach them everything. You could also encourage them to go to webinars or arrange for training sessions once a month. This will help them trust in your leadership and guidance.

Develop your own skills

While developing the skills of your team, make sure to also work on your own skills. To transition from expert to manager, you need to develop new skills just as much as your team. Work on being a leader and a mentor. Work on your briefing and communication skills as well. Work on identifying your team members’ skills and activities to help them better themselves. And also work on your organizational skills. This is one of the main things you need to work on as a manager since now you not only have to plan your own career, you also have to plan the careers of your team, at least through the time that they are working in your team.

Cultivate a positive culture

In order to become an effective manager you must be mindful of the culture you are creating. It is very important to consciously develop a positive culture that celebrates every win, however big or small. And it is equally important to accept and acknowledge every failure just as much. In a culture that encourages new things and experimentation while also supporting losses, the team will always flourish because they are not afraid of trying something new. But in a culture that crucifies failure, the team will be disconnected and fearful and only choose safe paths which will not allow you to achieve greatness as a team and as a manager or leader.

Summary

It is a great honor to be moving from being an individual expert to a manager. But this also comes with double the responsibility and work. And also double the satisfaction. These points can help you prepare for this new phase and step up in your career.