What unique competencies STEM leaders need (as opposed to most leaders)
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Being a STEM Leader requires some very particular skill sets. Organisations need Leaders with the technical knowledge necessary to complete the tasks associated with their job. But they also need Leaders who can handle organisational tasks not specific to their role. Being technically proficient is a given requisite. The transition to become an effective Leader entails much more than academic knowledge and research acquired through higher learning institutions. But what other competencies do they need aside from the hard skills that they already possess?
In an environment where they are constantly surrounded by like-minded technically inclined people, STEM Leaders need to possess distinct capabilities that define their Leadership status. They wouldn’t be entrusted with Leadership roles anyway if they weren’t technically skilled in the first place. It is the balance they possess of hard and soft skills that set them apart from other employees, and most Leaders in other fields.
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When you think of STEM careers, certain skill sets come to mind–mathematical prowess, tech savviness, scientific reasoning, etc. However, success in Leadership of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-based industries requires a well-developed set of soft skills, too.
Katie McPhee of Cengage mentioned in a recent article that STEM fields naturally encourage skills like critical thinking and problem solving, and that there are two other equally crucial skills necessary for success: empathetic communication and teamwork. Although I agree about the importance of these two skills, I would stress Agility to hold equal, if not more important value with the aforementioned skills. Leaders need to be able to adapt to diverse situations and communicate with diverse people in organisations, and this requires Agility, empathy, and teamwork.
In a recent study by Verizon on the skills needed to be successful in STEM, they pointed out that there was a time when the most important trait for Leaders were strong technical skills. But now, soft skills are gaining more importance when nurturing future Leaders. Here are four key soft skills that experts say can set you apart if you’re entering a STEM profession:
1. The ability to adapt to change. - “There is no longer the ability to do things the way they have always been done. Professionals should understand that adaptability is a critical trait and they have to work on being completely open to and willing to change for the overall success of the organization.” - John Reed, senior executive director for Robert Half Technology
2. A commitment to lifelong learning. - In STEM, you’ve got to take it upon yourself to make learning a continuous process. Keeping pace with what’s new and emerging in your industry will ensure that you’re not left behind with those who try to get by on past knowledge.
3. Good communications skills. - Whether you’re sharing ideas or findings, or simplifying complex topics for an organization, the ability to get your message across effectively is vital. Those who can articulate discoveries and data in clear, engaging ways, both verbally and in writing, will outlast their colleagues.
4. Creative thinking. - Innovation isn’t only about a new scientific discovery or technological breakthrough–it often manifests from people’s imaginations, or those who can think outside the box.
Among these four skills, I am very particular about Good communication skills. In my experience, you can’t be a good Leader if you don’t know how to connect with your team. You also need to build good relationships with people you will be working within the organisation. According to a survey of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) by Robert Half Technology, 25% of respondents cited communication skills as a key attribute their employees needed for career advancement.
The importance of communication skills might not always be apparent in STEM organisations. However, as author Julia T. Wood outlines in her text, Communication in Our Lives, 7th ed, Communication skills are necessary for STEM fields as well:
“Healthcare professionals must communicate effectively to explain medical problems to patients, describe courses of treatment, and gain information and cooperation from patients and their families. Even highly technical jobs as computer programming, engineering, and systems design require communication skills. Specialists must be able to listen carefully, work in groups and teams, and explain technical ideas to people who lack their expert knowledge.”
It is important to be able to communicate, yes. But we mustn’t undermine the value of knowledge. There has to be meaning and reason to what you’re trying to communicate so that people will find you agreeable. Leadership stems from influence. And one of the fastest ways to be influential is to convince people that you know what you’re doing and saying. This is where the hard skills come into play.
I stumbled upon this article by Caralee Adams about the 7 Most Important STEM Skills We Should Be Teaching Our Kids. I realised that today’s STEM Leaders are the ones that stayed true to the foundations that were presented to them even at an early age. Skills such as:
· Statistics – A deep understanding of statistics means understanding probability and error rates, concepts that cut across almost any type of problem you want to solve in STEM.
· Problem-Solving – What binds together the STEM movement is the notion of modern skills. Employers talk about problem-solving. Society requires problem-solving. Doing your taxes requires problem-solving. Those are the types of skills that really matter.
· Creativity – Creativity can be simple and complex at the same time. We don’t always teach to think outside of the box. You’ve got to look at a problem from a different perspective sometimes.
· Argumentation – The act of arguing is using evidence to support a claim. In the STEM fields, this means using analytical and critical-thinking skills to look for patterns in data, trying to determine what those patterns mean, and then using that data to support a claim. This skill transfers across all disciplines.
· Intellectual Curiosity – Beyond mastering content, individuals need to be innovators, learn from failures, and keep moving on. You need to cut across disciplines and be able to ask the questions that help build connections. People need to be lifelong learners and be driven by an intellectual curiosity to try to figure things out.
· Data-Driven Decision-Making – Leaders need to be able to make a decision not just based on what they think or feel, but on scientific data that supports the best solution. Everyone needs to know how to do this.
· Flexibility – Leaders need to be able to tackle authentic problems. Problems that require them to draw on different areas of knowledge and skill.
It is only through dedication to be proficient in both hard and soft competencies that STEM Leaders find success in their fields. They already have the advantage from most other Leaders due to their knowledge and experience. For those STEM Leaders who have devoted time and effort to improve their interpersonal skills, there’s nowhere to go but to the top.
STEM Leadership requires awareness and an investment of time to identify and to develop key professional skills necessary for success in any chosen career path. Through personal development, they have set themselves apart from most Leaders in different fields. And it is because of this dedication to the development of their unique competencies that STEM is leading the charge towards the future. So, what unique competencies have you been devoting yourself to?
Work with me – Get in touch here, call 1300 684 669 or email davidw@davidwayne.com.au to discuss options for coaching, workshops or training programs or
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