In my interactions with individuals intrigued by data science and analytics, a notable 70% express a desire to delve into machine learning (ML). However, when asked about the challenges they'd tackle with this newfound knowledge, their responses are predominantly blank. Only a handful, say about 10%, can conjure up an exciting project, the rest offer no reply.
This is a human bias, wherein we're more fixated on the 'HOW' and lose sight of the 'WHAT' and 'WHY'.
In our endeavors to resolve a given problem, do we ever wonder who identified the problem in the first place? Or why that problem was chosen over numerous others? This is the divide between leaders and non-leaders.
Leaders pinpoint the challenges and articulate why it's essential to resolve them. With a clear understanding of 'what' problems to address and 'why', figuring out 'how' becomes relatively straightforward. This explains why many professionals start their careers in individual contributor roles, learning the ropes of problem-solving and implementation.
The question of "how to get promoted or become a leader" surfaces quite often. There's no shortage of advice, ranging from increasing visibility, showcasing your work, improving presentation skills, influencing others without authority, and adopting a leader's language, among other things.
While I agree with these, they aren't sufficient. You can be an exceptional problem solver, be well-recognized, but you'll hit a ceiling if you only solve problems that are handed to you. Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. If your joy lies in tackling complex problems, but choosing the problems to solve isn't your cup of tea, you're likely to excel as a technical leader. Leadership, after all, isn't restricted to those with senior titles. But aspiring senior leaders should focus on identifying bigger problems to solve.
A crucial point to remember is that the quest for 'WHAT' and 'WHY' shouldn't come at the expense of 'HOW'. Either surround yourself with people who excel in 'HOW' or equip yourself with that knowledge. We've all had a leader who doesn't comprehend the intricacies of our work, who dismisses our efforts with remarks like, "This seems simple. Why is it taking so long?" Or a leader who hires someone incapable of resolving the problem. Therefore, don't shy away from the 'HOW'. Keep refining your skills but simultaneously cultivate your ability to identify the 'WHAT' and 'WHY'. You'll soon find yourself in a leadership role.
If you found this article thought-provoking, I'd like to invite you to listen to a related discussion on this topic on my YouTube channel.
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