Engineers are excellent problem-solvers, making them strong candidates for leadership roles. However, executive positions require more than just technical expertise. Discover the nine most important leadership competencies—and how engineers can develop these skills.

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Why Should Companies Integrate More Engineers into Leadership Positions?

An increasing number of companies are seeking leaders with strong technical expertise. Engineers are particularly well-suited for this, as they bring problem-solving skills that make them highly valuable for strategic decision-making.

Another advantage: technicians and engineers often enjoy a high level of trust within teams and organizations handling technical tasks. This can be a significant advantage in leadership and employee motivation—a benefit that leaders from other professional backgrounds may not possess. 

The technical expertise of technicians and engineers naturally enables them to make well-founded, informed decisions. Especially in times of digitalization, a strong technical understanding at the leadership level is a decisive advantage. 

One thing is clear: Technical know-how alone is not enough to lead teams effectively. Being a leader requires a range of specific skills. The good news is that these management skills can be learned—of course, also by technicians and engineers!

The Nine Key Management Skills for Engineers – and How to Develop Them

Which soft skills does a successful manager need? Essentially, they are always the same—regardless of the company or industry. The nine most important soft skills for engineers aspiring to leadership positions are: 

1. 1. Strong Communication Skills
      An essential leadership skill is strong, honest, and transparent communication—both with your team and with other leaders.

1. 1. Independent Way of Working
      As a leader, you should always know what needs to be done and how. After all, you have the final say and should not constantly rely on your superior for guidance.

1. 1. Skills as a Motivator
      A manager must be able to motivate their team. A motivated team drives success, while an unmotivated team can undermine the company’s performance.

1. 1. Team Player
      A good leader must also be a team player. Striking this balance is not always easy.

1. 1. Customer Orientation
      As a leader, you operate on two fronts: internally with your team and externally with clients. Therefore, being customer- and service-oriented is essential.

1. 1. Giving and Accepting Feedback
      Giving constructive feedback to the team is one thing – receiving feedback from the team is another. As a leader, engineers and technicians must be able to accept and act on feedback for the well-being of both the team and the company as a whole.

1. 1. Assertiveness
      As a manager, one must be able to have the final say and assert oneself. Clear communication plays a crucial role in this.

1. 1. Being able to Delegate Tasks
      It sounds simple, but it isn’t: many managers struggle to delegate tasks. Yet delegation is an essential part of being a manager, as one cannot do everything alone. To delegate confidently, a manager must be able to trust in the abilities of their team.

1. 1. Analytical Thinking
      A manager must possess strong analytical skills. This is typically a strength of engineers and technicians, which makes them particularly well-suited for leadership roles.

Where can Engineers Learn the Most Important Leadership Skills?

There are numerous courses and books that teach these skills. They can also be developed internally within a company, for example through professional development or training programs. Providers of such courses include, for instance, the IHK Centre for Continuing Education.Training courses of the Haufe Academy. The website kursfinder.de also offers a good overview of further training courses for managers. 

From Engineer to Manager – What Really Matters?

These nine skills are essential for managers. For the transition from engineer to leadership positions to succeed, the company must also play its part and support engineers as effectively as possible in taking on managerial responsibilities.

This is exactly where we can support you. If you have questions about engineers in leadership roles, contact our team. As a personnel service provider with over 30 years of experience, we are here to support you!

Are you looking for engineers for your project? At Temporary Employment International, we place experienced engineers and technicians from various specialist areas from abroad: Mechanical Engineers, Safety Engineer, System Engineer, chemical engineers, technical draughtsman, Industrial Engineer and more.