How to Handle Engineering Promotions with John Szeder

How to Handle Engineering Promotions with John Szeder

So you’ve been working hard and focused as an engineer for many years.  All of a sudden, you get a promotion.  After the celebration ends, and you start earnestly working as a new Engineering Leader - what, exactly do you do?

That’s exactly what John Szeder discussed in his recent Leadership Briefing with Alex Jarett. John is a highly in-demand and seasoned executive engineering leader focused on high volume consumer and industry applications.  He is also an expert in helping people build and retain elite engineering teams and has agreed to help people in their journey!  Alex is founder of The Technology Executives Club.

There are different reasons for promotions of course, but John brought up a common one - “Battlefield Promotions.”  A battlefield promotion is when your immediate boss or one of your bosses leaves the company suddenly and you are quickly promoted. It's similar to what happens on the battlefield. 

So what do you do once the dust settles and you wake up to the fact that your job has changed?  Step one, according to John, that’s when you take the time to reflect and plan out how you’ll act.  And John goes on to suggest that you develop good habits.

One of the best habits is to create successful 1 on 1’s as part of your management style.  John warns that a one on one is NOT a status update.  Instead, it’s the opportunity for your direct report to talk about whatever he/she wants during that 30 minute period.  And if you do it right, over time, the two of you will develop a since of mutual trust and you’ll increase your retention.  Here’s some key tips John shared in the briefing:
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• John shares how you set up the 1 on 1 with your employee as “their time.”
• The number one sign your employee is doing well.
• The warning sign that tells you the employee may be looking for a new position and not telling you.
• Why doing this leads to retention.

As you can see, this was a great discussion, but that’s not all we discussed.  John stressed he was a big fan of “Socratic Leadership, “ and he also stressed the importance of using empathy.  

“Don’t tell people things.  Ask people things.” John says. 

In the video, John explains how to do this using both the Socratic method and empathy.

The result is over time, you’ll develop trust and a relationship that will lead to higher job satisfaction, performance and retention.

Finally - his last, and most important piece of advice?  Make sure YOU get a mentor.  Seek out a mentor that you feel comfortable sharing your journey with and can help you along the way.   Need help on this front?  Reach out to John!
Learn more about John HERE

This Leadership Briefing was hosted by Alex Jarett.