The corporate and business landscapes have witnessed rapid growth in recent years, and accompanying this progress is the increasing need for leaders with a strong technical background. Traditional leadership skills like communication, strategic thinking, and team management remain highly significant. However, technical expertise has become another appealing characteristic for those assuming leadership positions.
This development is inevitable as corporate leaders exhibiting technical expertise are believed to drive organizational success and innovation. According to Balajee Asish Brahmandam, a senior software development manager at a leading American multinational company, one of the advantages of having leaders with technical backgrounds is their ability to make informed decisions based on a profound understanding of the organization’s technology stack, infrastructure, and processes.
“When you understand these technical processes, you’ll be able to anticipate challenges that might occur, assess risks accurately, and come up with effective strategies to overcome them,” Brahmandam explains. He believes leaders with technical expertise are better equipped to help teams guarantee successful outcomes, especially regarding implementing new systems, optimizing existing processes, or navigating complex technological disruptions.
This belief was shaped by having experienced the impact of having leaders with technical expertise. Brahmandam, originally from India, pursued his bachelor’s degree in electronics before relocating to the United States. He later earned master’s degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology Management.
He started his career as a software development engineer for a startup and then became a DevOps Engineer, handling various aspects of software engineering. After mastering DevOps, he landed a managerial role at one of the largest professional service networks, where he led the delivery of large-scale software applications and integrated systems.
The expert prioritized addressing client issues and drove down the cost of quality, all while advancing innovation within the organization. He obtained a holistic understanding of cloud infrastructure, project management, and team leadership thanks to this experience.
Brahmandam distinguishes himself from traditional product, program, or project managers who rely solely on their experience. He possesses a unique perspective that allows him to bridge the gap between various departments within an organization. After all, he can communicate with engineers, developers, data scientists, and other technical professionals, leading to cross-functional collaboration. It’s worth emphasizing that establishing a cohesive environment where different teams work together is crucial for driving innovation and achieving organizational objectives.
The software development manager also introduces an all-encompassing approach to decision-making. He utilizes technical insight and considers time constraints, resource availability, budget limitations, and the criticality of the problem when developing solutions. He draws insights from his experience as an engineering manager to gauge the feasibility of implementation, especially if it requires heavy coding, simple tool integration, or adherence to regulatory standards.
When asked about the unique proposition technical leaders bring to the table compared to non-technical ones, Brahmandam answers, “They can share ideas with the team and facilitate collaborative problem-solving. But there’s this gap because they might not be able to provide the same level of guidance and direction as a technical leader. Imagine a food critic. They can appreciate the taste and appearance of a dish without understanding all the effort that goes into it. Non-technical product managers are similar to them in a way that they might overlook some aspects of software development. Technical leaders are like experienced chefs. They can give you more valuable insights because they know the whole process, from start to finish.”
Besides promoting collaboration, Brahmandam is adept at creating a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. This is extremely important, given that technology advances at a rapid pace. This means organizations must be agile enough to adapt to new tools, methodologies, and industry trends. Brahmandam helps teams stay updated and encourages them to embrace change, experiment with new technologies, and continuously improve their skills.
Adding to that, as proven by Brahmandam’s impact in the field, leaders with technical expertise have excellent problem-solving skills sharpened through years of hands-on experience in dealing with complex technical challenges. They’re more accustomed to analyzing data, identifying patterns, and devising creative solutions to overcome obstacles.
The benefits of having leaders with technical backgrounds in leadership positions are undeniable, and Balajee Asish Brahmandam attests to them. His understanding of technology, ability to promote collaboration, commitment to continuous learning, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to inspire trust make him an invaluable asset to any organization.
