What the heck do I do all day?

Transitioning to management from a technical analytical role

Chris Beeley

4 December 2024

Intro

  • For analysts, there is a culture of “I want to progress without being a manager”
  • Many analysts don’t want to and wouldn’t enjoy being a manager- and they should progress without being one
  • But many would, and I want to speak today to those who are thinking about being a manager, or already are

My story

  • The best lesson I ever learned
  • Spent 15 years being a nerd and letting others lead
  • I have never in my life had an analyst for a manager
  • I fell into being a manager because I wanted to effect change at my previous employer

The Downside

  • I don’t always understand everything that’s happening
    • Still don’t know what databricks is 😂
  • Some of the things I do are honestly kind of boring
  • Some days I just ping between meetings all day and never catch myself up

What the heck do I do all day

  • Product owner
  • Team leader
  • Line manager
  • Member of the SU leadership group
  • Head of data science
  • Number one learning- be different people at different times

Product owner

  • We do kind of scrum
  • I decide what’s in and what’s out
  • Number one learning- stay out of the way (a familiar lesson from others)
  • Love: clarity; building a product people actually want; giving the team purpose and shaping what we do
  • Hate: I’m on the outside- don’t always understand stuff

Team leader

  • Recruitment
  • What do we do- where are we going
  • Culture > Strategy (#recruitforvalues)

Line manager

  • The research says line managers are really important
  • I ❤️❤️❤️ hearing about what my staff are doing and where they want to be in five years
  • I want to live in a world where they prosper, because they’re all awesome
    • (remember #recruitforvalues)

Member of the SU leadership group

  • Honestly I didn’t think I would be all that bothered (finance reports!)
  • It turns out I am bothered
  • I love the Strategy Unit and I want to help it however I can

Head of data science

  • A bit like team leader
  • But actually data science needs a voice in the Unit
  • I’m not the only voice but it’s my job to lead

Why I’m a terrible manager

  • I’m introverted
  • I’m disorganised
  • I have an opinion about everything and can’t keep my mouth shut
  • I say what’s on my mind; I can’t help it

Why I’m a good manager

  • I’m introverted
  • I’m disorganised
  • I have an opinion about everything and can’t keep my mouth shut
  • I say what’s on my mind; I can’t help it

The upside

  • Pinging around hearing about different stuff is fun
  • Shaping the team and its projects is fun
  • Mostly for me this job is about making a difference
    • Recruiting is miserable- hiring great staff is wonderful
    • Faffing around with budgets is miserable- growing the team is wonderful
    • Sitting typing emails all day is meh- connecting people and projects is wonderful

It’s a unique role

  • Every day I wake up and don’t help the team with the code for the sprint
  • Every day I think about what I can bring to the team
  • Embrace the uniqueness and give it a try