Leadership challenges experienced by engineers transitioning into management roles in manufacturing in South Africa

Abstract

"The literature suggests that the transition from self-leadership to leading others is a complex and challenging one for leaders, particularly the transition from engineer and technical professional to manager. The difficulty of this transition is attributed to the shift from a functional role to a leadership role, as well as the need to develop new skills, acquire new knowledge, and gain experience in leading people. Additionally, the leader may also encounter resistance from their team during this transition, which can manifest in different ways, including difficulty in delegating tasks and creating an effective team dynamic. As a result, it is essential for leaders ascending from the ranks of technical divisions to be cognizant of the various aspects of this transition and develop strategies to effectively manage it. A qualitative study comprised of twelve semi-structured interviews with engineers and technical professionals who had successfully made the transition was conducted. The research analysis yielded several key insights, which can provide individuals and organisations with the necessary guidance to assess which factors are crucial when transitioning from one role to another. The results suggested that the most important element is to possess the right balance of technical capabilities and leadership competencies. Moreover, the participants in the study also indicated that receiving mentorship, having the opportunity to observe effective leadership, and having advisors can provide support during the transition, while feedback from peers and superiors can also help new leaders become better acquainted with their new role. Additionally, evidence supported the notion that a successful transition requires individuals to be open to change and be willing to learn from their mistakes. This research provides a model that can effectively support South African engineers and technical professionals in their leadership journey. Additionally, it can provide guidance to South African engineers and technical professionals and organisations on how to best prepare for, or plan for, a successful transition to leadership roles. Finally, this research encourages further investigation into similar contexts, thus allowing for the transferability of these results to other sectors as well."