Becoming a Technical Leader: Insights from Becky, Principal Enterprise Architect at Ford Motor Company
Welcome to our enlightening session with Becky, the Principal Enterprise Architect of Ford Motor Company. With over two decades of both domestic and international experience in the technology sector, Becky shares her journey to becoming a technical leader. In this blog, you will find useful tips, practices, and resources she used along her path.
The Journey to Becoming a Technical Leader
Through her journey at Ford Motor Company, Becky rose up the ranks to become a principal enterprise architect. Interestingly, her last assignment as a coder was way back in 1996. Despite the huge changes in technology practices since then, she found herself with 29 years of experience, holding a senior tech leadership position at one of the largest automotive companies worldwide.
Her experience has taught her that there's a big shift within companies seeking leaders in technical roles. As she navigated her career trajectory, Becky spent a significant amount of time investing in her own skills and development. She encourages women in technology to remain true to their authentic self and take paths that might initially seem intimidating.
Tapping into the Power of Mentorship
While sharing her experience with mentorship, Becky remarked on the power of multiple perspectives. By having a range of mentors, she received different perspectives that helped her grow. These mentors provided clarity in areas beyond just her performance review, giving her a safe space to experiment and practice her technical skills with confidence.
What's the key to finding the right mentor? Start by identifying someone whose style you admire and aspire to emulate. From there, request a meeting to discuss your career and take it one step at a time.
Learning to Be Vocal and Showcasing Your Aptitude
Becky found that in order to be perceived as a technical leader, one needs to showcase their aptitude, leading with voicing views and asking questions. Through her journey, she forced herself to ask a question in every meeting she attended. She realized that her questions were often shared by others, thus acknowledging shared silences while also being viewed as proactive and engaged.
Commit to Reskilling and Upskilling
Becky's journey is testament to the power of lifelong learning. Upskilling and reskilling can be achieved through various means. Some resources she outlined include:
- Pluralsight, a technical learning platform
- LinkedIn Learning, a platform that offers a range of content
- Audible, a service that allows for audiobooks on the go
- Local libraries for traditional reading
Regardless of the source, commit to a learning schedule that suits your needs and stick with it. This could range from a few hours a week or month, squarely focused on tech and leadership topics.
Maintaining Authenticity
As Becky navigated her journey, authenticity remained a profound part of her leadership style. Admitting when one doesn't know something and taking a posture of learning can be powerful tool in a leader's arsenal. As a woman in technology, being vulnerable and authentic while driving for tech leadership roles is vital.
Conclusion
In summary, the journey to becoming a tech leader may not be linear, but it is achievable. Leverage your networks, showcase your knowledge, commit to continuous learning, and embrace vulnerability without compromising your authenticity. These are key elements to navigating a successful career in technology.
Like Becky, you too can chart your path, make your mark, and become a leader in your organization. Start today!