How do I learn about the world of upper management?

[KingGheedora]

I am a software developer, and I'm in my mid 20s right now. I've recently had some one on one discussions with a couple VPs and and EVPs about the future of the company and possible roles that I could play. It has been made clear to me that I may be able to take significant strides upwards in position in the near future. These were informal discussions, but it really got me thinking.

One question I've been asked is where I see myself in 2-5 years. I've replied with vague answers, but basically said that I wanted to be an architect, but I could see myself going into the role of a director or VP of development. I want a strong involvement in the business (I see myself as having no involvement in the business at my current position. I only code what people tell me as of now) but I'm still very fond of getting my hands dirty in code and design.

I was also asked if I would consider non-technical positions, in product or sales. I am open to this, and this brings me to the main reason for this post. I feel I'm at a crossroads, but I don't have enough exposure to the world to know all the right decisions to make. Outsourcing is pretty much a foregone conclusion, so staying as a developer may not make the sense. But at the same time, technical leadership and developers are still needed with outsourcing, to manage and integrate outsourced projects.

I have focused my energies thus far on creating sound technical solutions and this work has payed off and gotten me recognition. Now I feel like I need to start looking at the bigger picture a little more. I may have more exposure to upper management in coming months/years and I need to know what their world is like. I don't want to seem like a buffoon when asked things like what I want to do. Do I want to be a manager, a director of development, a CTO, an architect? Peter Principal and Office Space type jokes aside, how can I accomplish this? I want to know what a manager's world is like, what the business world is like, any suggestions on what to read?

 

[AreaCode707]

Are you already in management? If not, a jump to VP is too much of a stretch at this point.

Go find a manager you respect and ask that person to mentor you. Best way there is to learn about stuff like this.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: HotChic
Are you already in management? If not, a jump to VP is too much of a stretch at this point.

Go find a manager you respect and ask that person to mentor you. Best way there is to learn about stuff like this.

QFT. Don't get caught up in the titles game... half the "directors" I've ever met don't know sh!t about how to do their job properly, or how to prepare their people to do it. Find a mentor and listen more than you talk.

 

[canadageek]

experience.

 

[Howard]

cue Office Space quotes

 

[KingGheedora]

No, I definitely would not be jumping to VP right now, that's a more long term possibility. I'm not in management, I have no management experience. I'm a developer right now. What I could probably jump to is either architect or director.

When you say find a mentor, you don't really ask the person outright to be a mentor right? You mean something like ask the person to lunch with the premise of getting their advice, and then continue to ask for advice once that channel has opened up, right?

 

[Cattlegod]

get your MBA from a top 10 university.

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: AStar617

Originally posted by: HotChic
Are you already in management? If not, a jump to VP is too much of a stretch at this point.

Go find a manager you respect and ask that person to mentor you. Best way there is to learn about stuff like this.

QFT. Don't get caught up in the titles game... half the "directors" I've ever met don't know sh!t about how to do their job properly, or how to prepare their people to do it. Find a mentor and listen more than you talk.

I think in general, half of all people, not just directors, don't know sh!t about how to do their job properly. I'm not even sure what a director is. I basically equate it as a manager, but maybe one step up, is that right?

 

[animalia]

two chicks at the same time

 

[PhoenixOrion]

as mentioned above, finding a mentor within your company is a great way to learn about the world of upper management.

you can also do a lot of reading on your own, start by browsing articles on harvard business review.
i also recommend one particular book: requisite organization by elliott jacques....good stuff.

but as someone had mentioned, it's good to go through the technical track and then jump into the managerial track for your career. it would be hard to lead a group of technical folks when you don't know your technical stuff.

onward and upward!

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Reading some books on topics they deal with is a good start, you'll have knowledge to carry on discussions and give advice from another point of view when you make a decision

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
get your MBA from a top 10 university.

If you think that guarantees anything, you're sadly mistaken. It doesn't always work like that, most of the time. I know, and have worked with many directors and vp's, who have no such credentials.

The mentoring idea is the best, as well as letting superiors know where you are going, or want to go. In doing it that way, you place yourself in a good position to be groomed for the job.

Some people will have you to believe the expensive mistake that you must have an MBA to succeed. Don't believe that crap for a minute.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
get your MBA from a top 10 university.

Master
Bullshit
Artist

That and good looks are all the qualifications you need for upper management.

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: HomeAppraiser

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
get your MBA from a top 10 university.

Master
Bullshit
Artist

That and good looks are all the qualifications you need for upper management.

Exactly what I was thinking, when I posted above you. Some of these educated idiots are so busy pounding their chests all day, staring and gloating at the hide on the wall, that they fail to get any work done.

If you lack drive and direction, your education level alone will never take you anywhere, except waiting tables, bartending, all the while making excuses for your pathetic life.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

My dad managed a warehouse when I was young. The company got sold and the new owners brought in a bunch of Harvard guys to time everyone and changed the work flow. After a month they went back to the way my dad had it set up.

Gold quotes from my dad circa 1980:

"Mexicans can be hard workers, but no matter how hard they work the one who speaks English gets to be foreman"

"Black guys can be hard workers as long as they stay off the chronic"

"Don't put two gay guys on the same shift, because they will spend all the time in the bathroom making out"

Gotta love crazy dads!

 

[Jawo]

I would suggest reading the Wall Street Journal, or some of the leadership books

 

[K1052]

Generally I'd suggest finding the kneepad aisle at Home Depot to be a good start.

 

[her209]

Pull out some Confucius quotes. May I suggest some one liners like this:

"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves."

"He who will not economize will have to agonize."

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop."

And finally (drumroll please)

"The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved."

 

[TipsyMcStagger]

Look at getting an MBA

 

[axelfox]

Read Dilbert cartoons

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
No, I definitely would not be jumping to VP right now, that's a more long term possibility. I'm not in management, I have no management experience. I'm a developer right now. What I could probably jump to is either architect or director.

When you say find a mentor, you don't really ask the person outright to be a mentor right? You mean something like ask the person to lunch with the premise of getting their advice, and then continue to ask for advice once that channel has opened up, right?

Directors usually manage managers, so you would probably not want to make that jump with no management experience at all. I would see about becoming a team lead first that way when you make mistakes you have someone (your manager) to check up on you and get you going in the right direction. Once you've gotten good experience doing that you might consider moving into more formal management positions, but with no schooling or experience in management, I think that your best bet is to work your way up through the ranks, and learn from other managers what works and what doesn't.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
No, I definitely would not be jumping to VP right now, that's a more long term possibility. I'm not in management, I have no management experience. I'm a developer right now. What I could probably jump to is either architect or director.

When you say find a mentor, you don't really ask the person outright to be a mentor right? You mean something like ask the person to lunch with the premise of getting their advice, and then continue to ask for advice once that channel has opened up, right?

No, I mean explain to the person that you respect their work, tell them about your aspirations, and flat out ask if they would be willing to mentor you. Lots of companies have formal mentorship programs and it's the best way to learn. Also ask your boss to give you coaching, training and opportunities to learn the skills you'd need to move up.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: DaiShan

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
No, I definitely would not be jumping to VP right now, that's a more long term possibility. I'm not in management, I have no management experience. I'm a developer right now. What I could probably jump to is either architect or director.

When you say find a mentor, you don't really ask the person outright to be a mentor right? You mean something like ask the person to lunch with the premise of getting their advice, and then continue to ask for advice once that channel has opened up, right?

Directors usually manage managers, so you would probably not want to make that jump with no management experience at all. I would see about becoming a team lead first that way when you make mistakes you have someone (your manager) to check up on you and get you going in the right direction. Once you've gotten good experience doing that you might consider moving into more formal management positions, but with no schooling or experience in management, I think that your best bet is to work your way up through the ranks, and learn from other managers what works and what doesn't.

Yep. Depends on the company structure, but you typically can't make the jump from individual contributor to director without taking a stop in regular old management first.

 

[cavingjan]

Also, mentoring will allow you to acquire the company specific information needed to perform the job(s).

 

[child of wonder]

Meet a new person and befriend them. Spend lots of time with them. Make them feel valuable and important. Make them trust you.

Then, when they least expect it, plunge a rusty dagger into their chest and then look them straight in the eye while they gag and die on their own blood and bile.

Now you are ready for upper management.