So, I've been in the transition phase from being a developer to becoming a leader. And it has been an eye-opening journey. As a developer, I only had a little appreciation for managers - as evident in my previous blog posts. However, playing that role and starting to think about how top leaders operate, I see why it's such a difficult job.
As a developer, I would look at my emails, identify the tasks, fix bugs, code a story or two, and feel accomplished, like I've done my job because the deliverables were tangible. Looking at the top leadership, the tangible outcomes tend to become far and few. One would end up working for years on an initiative before the outcome. It becomes more about vision and doing the small things the right way. It's akin to planting a mango tree. You're lucky if the tree grows and starts producing fruits, and you're still there to see it, but most of the time, the next generation will enjoy the fruits. However, as the tree starts, keeping it healthy and tending to it to ensure it reaches the mature state where it starts fruition is essential. And that's what leaders provide. They provide the vision with which the trees are planted; they provide the nurturing hand helping them grow; but they may not be around to see the tangible benefits.
And that is the essence of leadership and visionaries. They need to be self-motivated and have tremendous amounts of self-confidence. Because there will be detractors who may not see the benefit. There will be people who would instead plant corn or soy and reap the benefits sooner. The leaders, however, understand that the world needs all those people. The world needs its critics, needs the corn & soy, and needs the trees.
