Do you think good engineers could become good managers also ?

Answer 1

If you are talking about being a manager of other engineers, then possibly yes, but it doesn't come naturally.

The advantage is that technical issues will be understood, so you won't be making decisions based on guesses; plus you'll know how to keep the troops in line because you can question what they are telling you.

The disadvantage is that you have to learn how to be hands off at the right time; you can't get involved with every detail and will have to resist your natural temptations. And you'll have to understand that team dynamics are more important to getting things done than pure technical expertise.

But if you can do that you'll make a far better manager of engineers than a non-engineer will.

Answer 2

Yes, they make excellent managers in technical fields.

The prime reason is that engineers have NO respect for bosses with Business or managment type degrees because engineers were studying their asses off during college while the others were out getting wasted at least 3 nights a week. So basically, real engineers only let real engineers manage them.

However, a big problem with many engineers like people say is that most lack interpersonal skills. So the ones that DO have people skills end up doing really well.

Answer 3

i think yes. they are very good in managing. they keep away all the personal feelings, they are not emotional. they are very practical and systematics. engineers are good in solving problems and they are risk takers, so i guess they can work well as managers. but then the people who work under engineers must have similar characteristics so they can get along nicely. some people say engineers treat human like they treat machines, maybe that s true but trust me there is not much diff between human and machines. both will stop working when they want to.

Answer 4

It depends on the individual. I have a friend who's an EE, but has also held management positions. He has a very good view of the "big picture" and knows how to deal well with all types of people. I think he'd be an excellent manager. But, that's just my opinion.

Answer 5

They can, but they usually don't. In my experience, Engineers (mech, s/w, h/w and electrical) either lack the people skills or tollerance for the politics that comes with managing folks in a high-tech environment. There are MANY exceptions, this is just a general impression.

Answer 6

I do not think an engineer would make a good manager. In my experience, they don't make good teachers or friends either.

Answer 7

No........
Managing people well requires a very specific disposition.
Engineers are a different breed and not that people
oriented.

Answer 8

Not necessarily. The Peter's principle says "Everybody rises to his level of incompetence". Believe me that is Universally true.