Episode 2: Leading a Technical Team – Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Manager and Beyond

The two most challenging transitions you can make in your career are transitioning from individual contributor to team lead, and moving from team lead to managing managers. This is true across all professions, but is particularly pronounced in technical fields, like data science.

In this episode, host Dr Genevieve Hayes is joined by guest Tim Davey to discuss the challenges faced by data scientists looking to climb the corporate ladder, and how employers of data professionals can support them in developing their careers.

Guest Bio

Tim Davey has spent the majority of his career working in the organisational development and HR space where his work has focussed strongly on the development of leaders and working with individuals to understand and maximise their careers. This has included, among other things, providing executive coaching to senior management across a wide range of industries, including media, the performing arts, manufacturing, financial services, transport, education, insurance, legal, and not-for-profit sectors.

Yet, Tim also has a strong technical background himself, having completed a Science degree at the University of Melbourne, and starting his working career in the chemical manufacturing sector, so has first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by the members and leaders of technical teams.

Talking Points

• The key differences between working as an individual contributor vs line manager vs senior manager.
• Why people can struggle to make the transition between data scientist and team lead and what can be done to make it easier.
• The importance of technical capability vs managerial skills in technical leadership roles, and how organisations can support staff to develop those skill sets if one is lacking or weaker.
• Managing a team and building your profile in the post-COVID, remote working world.
• Advice for data scientists considering moving into managerial roles – and for those who would prefer to remain an individual contributor.

Links

• Connect with Tim on LinkedIn
• Connect with Genevieve on LinkedIn
• Download the FREE Data Science Project Discovery Guide
• Genevieve Hayes Consulting offers one-on-one coaching for new and aspiring data science and analytics leaders. To find out more, or to share your thoughts and feedback on the podcast, you can get in touch here.
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