A leadership position is, for many, a professional goal. You’ve
pursued your passion, kept up with advancing technical skills, the next
step is to rise within your field in a way that allows you to guide a dedicated team to do
the same. At Forte Designs, our philosophy is to develop a foundation of four pillars: trust, integrity, purpose and critical thinking. These four pillars help to grow the human capital of a company. Leadership is about expanding your field of vision. You'll want to see the details, but you've also got to see the mid-field, and beyond.
As Michael Malone of the Wall Street Journal writes, your “secondary skills” are significant in that they allow you to shift your focus from your own individual productivity to being a
buoyant supporter of a team. These are your “people skills” and they make you a
most effective leader. Writes Malone:
“Shifting focus from personal productivity to supporting subordinates is a major part of the transition to management. Similarly, good managers must turn their attention away from the measurable metrics of the present toward a vision for the unpredictable future. For an employee looking to grow into a leadership role, these changes in perspective are as important as learning to communicate.” (Michael Malone, “The Secret to Midcareer Success,” Wall Street Journal, February 11, 2018)
It is so important that both technical and interpersonal skills are in full play, especially when individuals within a company move into managerial positions and higher. One must be thinking
about succession all the time across all departments.
We believe that those who chose to grow in their area of expertise, perspective and outlook must constantly enhance their secondary skills and empower others to be "WE" leaders. Fostering the future of individuals on a team translates into the longevity of a company.
