How a Technical Background Translates to Exceptional Business Leadership If you're making the leap from a technical role to a leadership one, here are three essential skills to carry over.
By Stephen Cavey Edited by Amanda Breen
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Some of the most successful business leaders today have one overarching trait in common: They possess a deep, technical background that helps them make informed business decisions.
For example, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, studied physics in college, then interned for Silicon Valley tech startups upon graduation, which ultimately led him to bet big on the Internet boom a few years later and launch his own startup. Another inspiration is Antonio Neri, CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, who has deep roots in engineering, leading him to become a key player in the company's evolution and a visionary in the "Everything as a Service" model.
As a co-founder of a technology company myself, I went through this journey firsthand, coming from a hands-on technical background and having to make the transition to business leader in my current role. Over time, I've realized that technical skills form the baseline to grow one's career. These types of skills are essential, as they allow you to perform hands-on roles which lead to real-life, front-line problem-solving experiences.
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