Times are changing.
Deloitte recently found that at companies employing more than 100,000 people the percentage of women in leadership roles rose from 21.2 percent in 2019 to 25.3 percent in 2022, with similar gains for women in all technical roles at those same companies.
While parity has yet to be achieved across the board. Built In Seattle asked Megan Szuter, a senior software engineering manager with Clean Power Research, how she rose in the ranks at this clean energy firm. What’s clear is she approaches her role from a holistic standpoint, reaching far beyond the technical aspects of her job. She recognized opportunities to develop soft skills such as collaboration, communications and conflict resolution — and jumped on them.
Clean Power Research employs cloud software to serve utilities, energy professionals and consumers in their transformation to clean, renewable energy.
How can individual contributors prepare for roles in management?
To prepare for a management role, it’s important to develop leadership and people skills. This includes learning how to inspire and motivate others, give effective feedback and become skilled at conflict resolution. Gaining experience in cross-functional collaboration builds skills that allow a successful manager to work effectively with people in many different disciplines. Additionally, networking with current managers can be helpful to learn more about the challenges and rewards of management.
Share a moment or achievement that accelerated your career.
A few years back, I joined a companywide Innovation Development committee. While serving on this committee, I entered an unofficial mentorship with the director. Our conversations covered many topics and two of them changed the way I approach my career growth.
I learned how my efforts supported the company, our colleagues and customers — it improved daily decision-making, communication and collaboration efforts.”
The first lesson was to understand and focus on the impact of the work. I learned how my efforts supported the company, our colleagues and customers. This led to improved daily decision-making, communication and collaboration efforts.
Second, I began to lean into new opportunities — especially those outside my comfort area. Those opportunities challenged me, taught me and helped me grow my career.
What is one trait or skill all good managers have?
Effective communication is essential for managers.
This means they can clearly convey their expectations and goals to the team, build trust and rapport with team members and become skilled at resolving conflicts. A good communicator can also motivate and inspire team members and provide constructive feedback that helps team members improve their performance.
