What Defines a Great Engineering Manager

Key Concepts

• Leading by Example: Demonstrating desired behaviors and work ethic.
• Fairness: Consistent and impartial treatment of team members.
• Employee Growth: Actively supporting and facilitating professional development.
• Inspirational Leadership: Motivating team members through positive influence and role modeling.
• Non-Hindering Growth: Avoiding actions that limit employee advancement.

Attributes of Effective Engineering Leadership

The core of the discussion centers on identifying the qualities that distinguish exceptional engineering managers and leaders. Kevin Gorman, a licensed professional engineer and Vice President at Robson Forensic, highlights three primary attributes based on his experiences with various supervisors throughout his career. These aren’t specific technical skills, but rather interpersonal and leadership characteristics.

Leading by Example & Inspiration

Gorman emphasizes that the most impactful managers were those who “led by example.” This wasn’t merely about delegating tasks, but actively demonstrating the behaviors and work ethic they expected from their team. This approach fostered a desire in Gorman to not only follow these leaders but also to emulate their methods – their “mannerisms” and “way of leading.” This suggests a powerful connection between observed behavior and personal aspiration within a team. He states, “They presented themselves in a way that one made me want to follow them, and two made me want to emulate how what they were doing.”

Fairness and Impartiality

Fairness is presented as a crucial component of effective leadership. While not explicitly defined, the context implies consistent and impartial treatment of all team members. This builds trust and ensures that individuals feel valued and respected, contributing to a positive work environment.

Prioritizing Employee Growth

A key differentiator between good and great managers, according to Gorman, is their attitude towards employee development. Exceptional leaders actively want their employees to grow professionally. Crucially, they don’t perceive their own position as being threatened by the advancement of others. Instead, they actively “encouraged growth from within their people” and provided “the opportunity and…to grow to be able to take over or grow into that position.” This demonstrates a long-term perspective focused on team success rather than individual power dynamics. Gorman specifically notes that these leaders “didn’t view their position as something to hold people back.”

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The discussion establishes a clear link between these attributes. Leading by example inspires emulation, fairness builds trust, and prioritizing growth fosters loyalty and motivation. These elements work synergistically to create a positive and productive team environment. The overall takeaway is that effective engineering leadership isn’t primarily about technical expertise, but about fostering a culture of growth, respect, and inspiration. The emphasis is on how a leader behaves, rather than what technical knowledge they possess.

Notable Quote

“They presented themselves in a way that one made me want to follow them, and two made me want to emulate how what they were doing.” – Kevin Gorman, regarding his favorite managers.

Technical Terms (brief explanations)

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE): An engineer who has met specific educational and experience requirements, passed examinations, and is licensed by a state to practice engineering.
• Forensic Engineering: The investigation of engineering failures to determine the cause and responsibility.
• Vice President: A senior-level executive position within a company.