GoKawiilTransitioning from years of working in a senior technical or executive role to a leadership position is one of the most challenging phases of a STEM career. It requires moving away from making decisions on your own to mentoring others, making strategic decisions for the organization, and collaborating with coworkers from different generations.
The shift in mindset is known as “legacy leadership,” a philosophy whereby success is no longer measured by personal achievements but by how effectively a senior leader empowers others.
To help seasoned professionals and senior experts navigate the transition, the inaugural IEEE International Leadership Conference (ILC) will provide attendees practical advice on cultivating collaborations and guiding emerging talent.
“Early in our STEM careers, we measure success by what we have achieved,” says Jeewika Ranaweera, cochair of the IEEE ILC program committee. “Later, we should measure success by what we enable, how many people we mentor, how much knowledge we transfer, and how many doors we open for the next generation.”
The ILC is scheduled for 3 and 4 October in Budapest. Registration is open.
Letting go of the “expert” identity
For decades, seasoned technologists have been valued primarily for their technical expertise. Shifting from that identity can feel uncomfortable, but legacy leadership requires measuring success by different standards. They include a leader’s influence on the staff, the ability to uphold the company’s mission, and empowering others to lead and succeed.
The transition requires leaders to find purpose outside their corporate titles, shifting their focus to the long-term sustainability of their teams, their organization, and the broader technical community.
“A professional legacy is not measured only by what we have achieved but also by sharing our knowledge, experience, and opportunities with others,” says Sudhanshu S. Jamuar, another program committee cochair. “The real transition from expert to a legacy builder happens when we stop asking, ‘What more can I accomplish myself?’ and start asking, ‘How many others can I enable to accomplish more?’”
Neeli Rashmi Prasad, IEEE ILC treasurer and sponsorship cochair, adds that the transition transforms a lifetime of technical work into a platform for future innovation.
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