Contemplating Data Science Management
Leadership Series
The first moment that I pondered a pathway to technical management is still unclear to me; it was most probably a very steady realisation over the many roles where I was privileged to be given a lot of responsibility and autonomy.
For example, when I was a tutor, I found it fulfilling to connect with my students and nurture their development according to their individual learning styles. In project management roles, I enjoyed the strategic aspects of goal setting, defining project scopes according to business needs and available resources, and encouraging teamwork. And in my current roles, I find myself looking forward to the facets that require me to stretch my planning and organisation skills. In particular, I relish the kinds of tasks that require me to envision a future state, then setting up systems and processes for smooth and efficient deliverables accordingly.
However, I am also cognizant of the fact that the pathway to management and leadership demands much more than a desire for greater impact and partiality to administrative tasks. It requires effective communication, strong time management skills, confidence in decision making, commercial awareness, mentoring, and a risk appetite that enables innovation — all of which are skills in and of themselves.
If you are also considering your development towards data science leadership, I invite you to join me in exploring management styles and modes of communication, discussing the importance of interpersonal intelligence, and keeping abreast of current trends in leadership and data science research.
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