Thursday, July 14th, 2005
I’ve often wondered if it’s easier to teach a manager technical skills or to teach a technical person how to be a manager.
In talking to people on both sides of the fence, I’ve found that opinion is usually split down the middle. As a follow up, I should have asked how many of the managers (if any) were promoted from technical positions.
A friend of mine who has been in management for years didn’t even have to think about it before saying that it’s easier to teach a manager technical skills. He believes that management skills are more important, but I tend to think that’s because a lot of managers understand things on a level that’s more roof and less foundation (if that makes any sense). But, it’s probably not that simple.
I was surprised to learn that studies show management skills trump technical skills in almost every situation. I’ve always considered management skills to be more general, while technical skills are more specific. In my experience, general skills are easier to learn and use. So why do the studies show otherwise?
Well, maybe it’s because the question itself depends on the level of involvement in technical issues that the manager is required to have. Should a manager at McDonalds know how to make a Big Mac? Probably. But the learning curve involved with making a burger is considerably less than in most other situations.
So considering that, does the need for technical skills in management decrease as the complexity of the job increases? Are those managers less involved in the technical side of operations? Maybe.
As usual, I’m all questions, and no answers. But it’s something to think about.
Greg, I’m going to go ahead and agree with your friend that it is easier to teach technical skills than management skills. Being an undergrad management major, I see that even a lot of people in my classes just don’t get it. They don’t have that innate ability to lead, think outside the box and on a whole, they lack the ability to ‘get things done.’ I’ve also taken a few computer courses during my undergrad (being a very tech-savvy person myself) and witnessed that even the most tech-illiterate people can learn ‘technical’ skills with practice.
I guess the only true ‘argument’ I could present is that managerial skills (thats just such a broad term) can be innate. Technical skills must be learned. No one is born knowing how to format an excel spreadsheet or query an SQL database (thankfully!) but just about anyone could learn those things…I would think it much harder to teach someone to how to manage a crisis situation such a preventing a strike or motivate employees to increase throughput by x% to reach that quarters goals.
Again, my just 2¢
I appreciate your opinion Ian. I’m certainly starting to understand why the studies agree with you. And, thinking about it, the management classes I took under the Information & Operations umbrella certainly required the need for a comprehension beyond what is required to learn a step by step (technical) process.
There are so many factors involved that it’s difficult to make an argument that would apply in every situation. Technical skills must be learned, but are some people just naturally more inclined to excel? I’d say yes. And the same goes for the management side. It’s also true that the difficultly in teaching technical or management skills changes with the situation. For example, I couldn’t run a company, but I’d probably be a fantastic President of the United States. Haha…seriously.
I agree that these are broad terms. I like to boil things down (up?) as much as possible. I’ll change my site tagline to, “Generalizations, spread liberally”.
I would also agree that it is easier to teach technical skills. Technical skills can be learned while “Excellent” managment skills seem to be more of a gift. Although you need to know specifics to manage a business, it takes that extra “Know How” to excel with it.
Some individuals have it, and some just dont. Maybe Im being a bit harsh, but its seems to me that some people are just more inclined to follow orders than to give it…
I dont know, maybe I have it all wrong and Im just ranting. ;)
Greg, stop by my site to pick up your book baton!!!
Technical skills are definitely easier to teach if the person has any learning ability. Tech is specific. Like saying that 4+4 = 8.
In management, 4+4 can equal 9 depending on the scenario. This is coming from someone with an MBA with specialization in Organizational Behavior / Finance from (don’t puke, Greg) the University of Oklahoma, and many many years of managing all levels of employees.
Management is theory - it doesn’t work the same with every person in every situation. It isn’t finite. It’s a generalization. I’d probably compare it to your group of friends. You have to learn what buttons you can push, when, how much, and what effect you get when you do. Some people just can’t learn that.
Also, one last thought. You know the old sterotype about techies, right? They aren’t people persons. They are those people that storm the Star Trek conventions wearing their Spock ears. Remember the old movie, “Revenge of the Nerds”?
Greg,
Like everybody said that it is easier to teach technical skills.I would like to ask that can’t good managers be made in B schools or are they born with some hidden talent.
Well, it seems from the thread as if “tehcnical” & “management” skills are mutually exclusive. It is not. There are technical people and there are technical people. Similarly, there are managers and there are managers. The fundamental skill set which consists of 1) The ability to see things from above, 2) Intelligence with a big I 3) Courage with a big C, 4) Lead from the front & 5)Ability to asimilate a sense of detachment with the idea of role playing makes a person as great technical or as great manager.
With all said, it always makes one feel good to be “managed” by a manager who is seen as doing what he does not because he can not do what I do, rather he can do more than what I do. And that’s where great technical people converted to great manager always makes a desirable combination.
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