Dona L. Crawford, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Mary Fernandez, AT&T Research Labs CRA-W Advanced Career Mentoring Workshop (CAPP-L) Santa Fe, New Mexico Entering Research Management and Thriving November 14, 2008

2 How to think about deciding whether to enter management What motivates you: individual scientific achievement, scientific achievement through teamwork, expanding your achievement factor through others, solving problems for people vs. solving technical problems It may just happen; take time to reassess: do you enjoy working with people and dealing with the things that happen to people which effect everyday work assignments

3 What factors go into hiring managers Do they understand the topic area they will be managing Can they- –keep friendships separate from management responsibilities –take the broader view, expand their own horizons to embrace a broader domain –motivate and lead an organization, sell their ideas –keep a project/people on track (manage an organization) –mentor others, give constructive feedback –juggle time

4 Can they- –communicate effectively (verbally, in writing) –manage conflict –recruit and select appropriate staff –handle change and ambiguity –play to people’s strengths –take in lots of information and synthesize it –develop creative solutions to technical and administrative problems What factors go into hiring managers, cont.

5 What management positions involve: first line vs. higher level positions First-lineHigher level small grouplarge group single focusmany focus hands ondelegation managelead/direct input on decisionscloser to final decision maker needs of the individualneeds of the organization

6 Training/Mentoring programs for management (preparation for the transition) Internal supervisory training Apprentice management UCLA Management Training Books: Monday Morning Leadership by David Cottrell, Love ‘em or Lose ‘em by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan- Evans

7 Coping with becoming a manager Take care of your people Talk to your peers; talk to your boss Seek to understand => listen, ask why Learn about performance review cycles, mentoring/coaching, budgets, procurement Leave work at work Have a thick skin (you will be criticized)

8 Management from Mary’s Perspective How did you enter management? Did you pursue it or was it proposed to you? What is different about management than research/development/previous job? Do you have or were you provided with mentoring? Have you had management training, formal or informal? Is it useful? What are biggest challenges in management?