Growing great leaders through the Technical Lead Manager Program
At Box, we believe in nurturing and developing our talented employees to become exceptional leaders. Our Technical Lead Manager (TLM) Program is designed to equip eligible Boxers with the skills and resources needed to transition from an individual contributor (IC) role to a people leader position. Read on to see how the Box TLM program fosters growth, empowers employees, and contributes to building great managers.
What is the TLM Program?
The Engineering TLM Program aims to bridge the gap between technical expertise and effective leadership by providing IC Boxers with comprehensive support to become successful managers. The program ranges from 3-6 months based on proficiency levels aligned with the program.In order for an engineer to participate, it begins with a demonstrated business need, personal readiness, and have a team org design that supports management.
Preparing for Success
Before entering into this transformative journey through the TLMprogram, prospective Boxers in the Engineering org engage in discussions about implications associated with management career paths alongside their respective managers. This includes assessing readiness across various dimensions such as effective team management,seamless peer collaboration, and working harmoniously under senior leadership.
Onboarding Path and Training Opportunities
Once accepted into the program,TLMs follow an extensive onboarding path which covers essential topics like overcoming bias, maintaining performance whilst managing projects, adapting their leadership approach to the situation at hand, and more. Additionally, on-demand trainings focusing on areas like collaboration, data-driven decision making, hiring practices, and more are made available ensuring holistic development opportunities tailored specifically for aspiring leaders.
Hands on Experience
This program encourages active participation in activities such as team meetings, strategic planning, and code/design reviews. During the three - six month timeframe, Boxers grow into both technology leaders and people leaders by driving quality, setting goals, tracking metrics/KPIs, and mentoring others on the team while providing feedback. In addition, Boxers receive guidance from existing Engineering managers during the program to ensure success.
We asked Boxer Anna Alieksieieva about her experience:
“Over six months, my manager assisted me in developing a comprehensive 30-60-90 plan to outline the direction and track my goals. Moreover, I participated in specialized trainings focused on people management and team work organization. The most invaluable aspect of the program was the hands-on experience of stepping into the role of a Manager. It provided me with a practical understanding of the responsibilities and challenges involved, helping me clarify my career aspirations. As a result, the formal transition to this role felt like a natural progression.”
Anna now is the Engineering Manager for our Design System team!
Like Anna, ambitious Engineering professionals who possess both technical prowess and strong interpersonal skills get the opportunity to make meaningful transitions toward management. Within these carefully crafted programs lie pathways to personal growth, career advancement, and ultimately organizational success. Box truly grows great leaders!
For more information on how we grow great leaders at Box, check out this article on manager development and this article on sales development.