The Entrepreneurs, Engineers And Entrepreneurs Who Are Also Engineers Approaches

There are many kinds of leadership styles. This piece looks at leaders who may operate in certain ways. Let’s explore these approaches.

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs tend to have high energy. They are brilliant in their own field and think quickly. They go ‘A, B … and then leap to … Z’.

Visionary by nature, they often see pictures of what good looks like. They do not always communicate these visions to people, however, even though they may think they have communicated the picture.

Contrary to most beliefs, such people actually do follow a process but it is their own process. They follow these principles intuitively, however, and sometimes it is hard to communicate these to other people.

Great entrepreneurs recognise both their strengths and weaknesses. They often have a coordinator who acts as a translator between them and the rest of the world. The coordinator makes sure the ideas are implemented properly and have the desired impact.

There is seldom a dull moment working with such entrepreneurs. They can be inspirational but also frustrating. Sometimes they change their minds without telling others. Nevertheless, they attract many people who enjoy the adventure.

Engineers

Engineers want to make things work. They tend to be methodical and follow a structured process.

They go ‘A, B, C, D, E …’ and continue in a systematic way until they reach ‘Z’. They expect others to adopt a similar approach and be able to explain their actions in detail.

Good engineers focus on the end goal. They then apply their expertise to implementing processes and tackling challenges on the road to achieving success. Sometimes they can become fixated on certain issues, however, and need to refocus in the real results to achieve.

This approach may be exactly what is required to develop consistency across an organisation. On the downside, however, this can sometimes lead to micromanagement.

Some engineers move on to developing a style of managing by outcomes rather than managing by tasks. They develop a culture in which people take responsibility for following the key principles and delivering success.

Entrepreneurs Who
Are Also Engineers

Some leaders combine both approaches. The entrepreneurial side is inspiring and focuses on the real results to achieve. The engineering side is systematic and sees details on the road to achieving success.

Entrepreneurs who are also engineers can be demanding. Working with them can be exhilarating but also like a switchback ride. The leader can shift quickly from focusing on the vision to swooping down into the detail. This approach can be intimidating for some people.

Such leaders can be challenging to work with but often attract people who follow them from project to project. People are willing to put with both the pluses and minuses involved. They know they will be part of exciting teams that often deliver the goods.

There are several guidelines to follow when working with the different kinds of leaders. These can be useful to bear in mind whatever the kind of leader. It can be useful to take the following steps

To clarify the leader’s picture of success and play back your understanding to ensure you both have the same picture;

To clarify and follow the overall Dos and Don’ts for working well with the leader – it is important to know their view of how they want people to work with them;

To get some early successes and proactively keep the leader informed about the progress being made towards achieving the goals – otherwise the leader might start interfering;

To recognise that the leader might change their mind without telling you – so it can be good to keep checking their evolving picture of success;

To maintain high professional standards and do your best to deliver the agreed picture of success.

Let’s return to your own work. Can you think of a situation where you may be working with a leader who demonstrates elements of being an entrepreneur, engineer or an entrepreneur who is also an engineer?

How can you work with such a leader? How can you retain your sanity and also do your best to deliver the agreed picture of success? What may happen as a result of taking these steps?

 If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.