Here's how you can smoothly transition from a hands-on role to a more strategic one in late career.
Transitioning to a strategic role after years of hands-on work in product development can be a significant shift. It's a journey that requires not only a change in responsibilities but also a mindset adjustment. You might be accustomed to the immediacy of creating and troubleshooting, but as you move towards strategy, your focus will broaden to include long-term planning, market analysis, and guiding teams towards a shared vision. This transition is not just about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about leveraging your experience to shape the future of products and the direction of your company.
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Oluremi OladipupoPrincipal Architect'| Senior Manager (Software Engineering) | DevOps Enthusiastic | Digital transformation Expert
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Prof. (Dr.) Amit Kumar TiwariSenior Patent Associate & Indian Patent Agent
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Avichal SinhaCategory, Growth & Customer at Flipkart | XIMB - MBA (Gold medalist) | Google Ads Certified | Marketeer | Learner
As you transition from hands-on work to a strategic role, embracing continuous learning is crucial. You must understand the broader business context and the subtleties of market dynamics that drive product success. Consider courses in business strategy or leadership to enhance your skills. Networking with peers in strategic roles can also provide valuable insights and mentorship opportunities. Remember, your technical expertise is a foundation, but expanding your knowledge will help you see the bigger picture and make informed decisions.
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Oluremi Oladipupo
Principal Architect'| Senior Manager (Software Engineering) | DevOps Enthusiastic | Digital transformation Expert
Building high performing Engineering team is not only by talent acquisition alone but by building the culture of high performance that will serve as foundation to achieve the target goals. It comes with right talent, modern approach to Software development which includes adoption of devops , right tools and right product to be built by the assembled team,
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Avichal Sinha
Category, Growth & Customer at Flipkart | XIMB - MBA (Gold medalist) | Google Ads Certified | Marketeer | Learner
Hands-on work will help you get the learning for the strategic role. Keep learning from all your projects on how users interact with the product, what kinds of user benefit more or engage most, what gives maximum impact, why certain launches failed etc. Develop general theories from the specific products you are part of, and keep shaping these theories with new learning. This will help you take calls with certain degree of accuracy when presented with a situation which is similar or even remotely related to what you have done.
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Dr. Hetvi Shah
Adaptable Thinker: Diverse Expertise, Unified Vision for Progress
It equips you with the broader perspective and new skills needed to make informed decisions and lead effectively. In my own experience, moving from a technical position to a strategic role required understanding not just the technical details but also the bigger picture of business goals, market trends, and team dynamics. By committing to continuous learning, I was able to bridge the gap between my existing expertise and the new demands of my role, ensuring I could contribute meaningfully and lead with confidence.
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Prof. (Dr.) Amit Kumar Tiwari
Senior Patent Associate & Indian Patent Agent
Transitioning to a strategic role requires continuous learning. Understand the broader business context and market dynamics that drive product success. Enhance your skills with courses in business strategy or leadership, and network with peers in strategic roles for valuable insights and mentorship. While your technical expertise provides a strong foundation, expanding your knowledge will help you see the bigger picture and make informed decisions.
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Sumit Choudhari
TRAINING & SALES MANAGER | SCA CERTIFIED ROASTER | LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFIED | ISO 22000 LEAD AUDITOR | NATIONAL BARISTA CHAMPION 2019 | AUTHOR
From my perspective, the most successful product development teams are those that prioritize learning at every stage of the process. Whether it’s through attending industry conferences, participating in workshops, or engaging with professional networks, these teams understand that ongoing education is key to innovation. Additionally, leveraging data and user feedback is crucial. Every product iteration provides valuable lessons that can inform future designs and strategies.Cross-functional collaboration also plays a significant role. When engineers, designers, marketers, and other stakeholders share their expertise and insights, the collective knowledge pool expands, leading to more informed decisions and creative solutions.
Mentorship can be a powerful tool in your transition. Seek out mentors who have successfully navigated this path and can offer guidance based on their experiences. They can help you understand the nuances of strategic roles and provide advice on overcoming common challenges. Simultaneously, mentoring junior colleagues can reinforce your own understanding and help you articulate the strategic perspective you're developing. This reciprocal learning environment benefits everyone involved and solidifies your role as a strategic leader.
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Prof. (Dr.) Amit Kumar Tiwari
Senior Patent Associate & Indian Patent Agent
Seek mentors who have successfully navigated strategic roles for guidance and advice. They can help you understand role nuances and overcome challenges. Mentoring junior colleagues reinforces your own understanding and helps you articulate your strategic perspective. This reciprocal learning environment benefits everyone and solidifies your role as a strategic leader.
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Sumit Choudhari
TRAINING & SALES MANAGER | SCA CERTIFIED ROASTER | LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFIED | ISO 22000 LEAD AUDITOR | NATIONAL BARISTA CHAMPION 2019 | AUTHOR
From my perspective, mentorship provides a dual benefit: it enhances the mentor’s leadership skills while simultaneously fostering the mentee’s professional growth. Mentors offer invaluable wisdom, drawn from years of hands-on experience, helping mentees navigate complex challenges and avoid common pitfalls. This transfer of knowledge not only boosts individual competence but also strengthens the overall team dynamic
Networking isn't just for job seekers; it's a vital strategy for gaining insights into industry trends and building relationships with other strategic thinkers. Attend industry conferences, join professional associations, and participate in roundtable discussions. These activities allow you to exchange ideas with peers and stay informed about emerging challenges and opportunities in product development. Your network can become a valuable resource for strategic advice and support as you navigate your new role.
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Sumit Choudhari
TRAINING & SALES MANAGER | SCA CERTIFIED ROASTER | LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFIED | ISO 22000 LEAD AUDITOR | NATIONAL BARISTA CHAMPION 2019 | AUTHOR
From my perspective, strategic networking begins with identifying key stakeholders who can contribute to various stages of product development. This includes not only colleagues and industry peers but also potential customers, suppliers, and thought leaders. Engaging with a diverse network ensures access to a wide range of insights, from emerging trends and technologies to user needs and pain points.Networking facilitates knowledge sharing, enabling teams to learn from others' experiences and best practices. By attending industry events, participating in professional groups, and leveraging social media platforms, product developers can stay abreast of the latest advancements and gain inspiration from successful case studies.
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Prof. (Dr.) Amit Kumar Tiwari
Senior Patent Associate & Indian Patent Agent
Networking is crucial for gaining industry insights and connecting with strategic thinkers. Attend conferences, join professional associations, and participate in discussions to exchange ideas and stay updated on trends and challenges. Building a robust network provides valuable strategic advice and support, helping you navigate your new role effectively.
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nivaldo camilo
Eng. de processo na Procter & Gamble
A manutencibilidade irá facilitar o trabalho de manutenção seja na preparação para manutenção com a disponibilidade das ferramentas necessárias mas manter o que for necessário para a realização do trabalho dando acesso facilitado, orientações de sentido e direção a um determinado serviço específico com a utilização de ferramentas específicas a serem usadas.
Effective communication is key when moving to a strategic role. You must articulate your vision and strategy clearly to get buy-in from stakeholders at all levels. Develop your storytelling skills to make data-driven decisions compelling and relatable. Practice presenting your strategic plans in a way that connects with your audience's values and goals. This will not only demonstrate your leadership but also inspire your team to align with the strategic direction you're setting.
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Prof. (Dr.) Amit Kumar Tiwari
Senior Patent Associate & Indian Patent Agent
Clear communication is vital in a strategic role. Articulate your vision and strategy to gain stakeholder buy-in. Develop storytelling skills to make data-driven decisions compelling. Present strategic plans in a way that resonates with your audience's values and goals. This approach demonstrates leadership and inspires your team to align with your strategic direction.
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Sumit Choudhari
TRAINING & SALES MANAGER | SCA CERTIFIED ROASTER | LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFIED | ISO 22000 LEAD AUDITOR | NATIONAL BARISTA CHAMPION 2019 | AUTHOR
From my perspective, the first step in communicating vision is to articulate it succinctly and passionately. This involves not only defining the end goal but also explaining the underlying purpose and the problem the product aims to solve. A well-communicated vision should resonate with all stakeholders, from designers and engineers to marketers and executives, ensuring everyone understands and shares the same objectives.Regular and transparent communication is key to maintaining alignment. This can be achieved through various means such as team meetings, detailed roadmaps, and continuous feedback loops.
Your hands-on experience is a treasure trove of insights—use it to inform your strategic decisions. Reflect on past projects and consider what worked well and what didn't. This reflection can guide your strategic planning, helping you to anticipate potential issues and identify opportunities for innovation. By leveraging your experience, you can bridge the gap between hands-on work and strategy, ensuring that your plans are grounded in practical realities.
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Sumit Choudhari
TRAINING & SALES MANAGER | SCA CERTIFIED ROASTER | LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFIED | ISO 22000 LEAD AUDITOR | NATIONAL BARISTA CHAMPION 2019 | AUTHOR
From my perspective, experienced team members bring invaluable insights into what strategies and methodologies work best. Their knowledge can help in anticipating challenges and identifying solutions early, reducing trial and error. For instance, veterans in the field understand the intricacies of balancing user needs with technical feasibility and cost constraints. This experience allows for more accurate project planning and resource allocation, ensuring that the product development stays on track and within budget.Additionally, leveraging experience fosters a culture of mentorship within the team. Seasoned professionals can guide newer members, sharing their expertise and best practices.
Lastly, cultivating adaptability is essential for a smooth transition to a strategic role. The product development landscape is constantly evolving, and so must your strategies. Be prepared to pivot when necessary and embrace change as an opportunity for growth. Encourage a culture of flexibility within your team, fostering an environment where innovative ideas are welcomed and tested. Your ability to adapt will not only serve you well in your new role but will also set a positive example for those you lead.
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