Moving from Software Dev to team leading etc.

um7y1h83ge06nx

I'm looking for advice from people about how best to move from a Software Development role in IT to team leading etc.

I've been working as a Software Developer for 4 years since leaving college. I like it, but honestly couldn't see me doing it 10-15 years down the line. I like the idea of more management type roles in IT, using my IT skills but also people skills etc.

Thing is though, how do I move into my first team leading type role? Do I just hang around in my current company and await for a position to arise or should I try and move companies into a suitable role?

I know these days peopl want to stay put in the middle of this recession, but I would like to have some sort of a plan for when the economy turns around.

Any advice would be great, thanks!

Nody

Most people get their first leadership role in their current company from what I've experienced.

The role is usually going to the person who takes on more responsability beyond their current role and shows that they can handle the additional responsability.

um7y1h83ge06nx

That's true alright. The only thing about that is that you have to be in the right place at the right time. I could spend years somewhere where no roles comes up. That's just life I guess!

In my company, the two most recent team leader roles were filled internally, the last two positions before that were external hires.

I'm trying to broaden my horizons a bit at the moment, I completed the first half of a Diploma in Quality Management Systems last year and will start the second half in October.

Workwise, I have gotten excellent reviews so far.

I guess I want to try and achieve things while I'm young rather than another 10 years or so when I probably could have more personal committments etc. and when I fear I could be sick of my job.

Any ideas of any other courses I could do or anything else outside of trying my best at my job to try and boost my chances for when a role comes up?

Thanks.

Nody

I guess I'm old school but I believe that there is not many leadership courses worth doing; esp. at Uni level as they all tend to be way to theoretical and far to little practice. Having said that adding a leadership/motivation/project management course never hurts as you never know how hardcore your boss/HR is on stuff like that.

There are also lots of management/leadership books out there; avoid anything American if possible (paid by the word does not make good for good reading). From my personal experience I've learned a lot more from observing other managers and how they handle situations then from reading books/doing studies; esp. managers you can see a lot. Start thinking how they handle things, what you would do differently and this esp. holds true for what you consider "bad" managers.

Oh and when ever you become a team lead or what ever position in power you have there is one advice I can give you; communicate. No matter how much you think you communicate you can never do to much; talk to people; tell your boss what you've done, what you plan to do and ask for their feedback on the ideas. Tell your team who's going to come; how the meeting went; what's the feedback etc. and make sure tey feel in the loop (some times not possible due to confidentiality but you get the idea).

jimmycrackcorm

OP - seek out responsibility and take on challenges in mini-projects where you can take a lead in some team effort. Show that you can work well with other develoeprs, help them out etc. Basically demonstrate as much as possible the qualities of a good Team lead in a practical manner day to day manner.

Plus, keep a note of what you do to reinforce your eventual application.