Why engineers make better short term but worse long term managers than others - By Abhishek Jain (Guest Author)

An engineering student, a MBBS student and a commerce student, when asked the expected time they will take to read a mammoth sized book; one of the most interesting answer came from the engineering student. While the MBBS student and the commerce student replied 4 and 5 days respectively, the engineering student asked, “When is the exam?”

This joke might sound a little clichéd to most of us but this joke most aptly describes the psychology and working pattern of engineers. I myself being an engineer can actually vouch for it.

Doing work just before the deadlines and making it look ubercool on the surface is the modus operandi of most of us. (PS: Exceptions exist in every part of the universe).Most of the engineering students possess the symptoms of the above mentioned work style.

This work style perfectly matches with the “Just in time” Inventory management system, which is being extensively used by most of the industries across the globe. Though it saves time and helps utilizing the capital and man power more efficiently but it also has some problems. It is susceptible to supply shocks and large supply or demand changes.

Same goes with the working style of engineering students .In short term and limited deadlines they perform really well. Like just cramming before the exams and getting really good grades. But when it comes to basic technical knowledge which is needed in the long run, they lag behind. This is the reason why the quality of engineers produced has decreased. Same reflects when it comes to managing company affairs.

Moreover, engineers have more of an analytical mindset. Managing something demands a perfect blend of both analytical and creative mindset. Now when the question of innovation comes, engineers fall short of ideas. This is all due to the fact that the education system in India today does not encourage 'Out of the Box' thinking. A person who wants to innovate is turned down either due to the lack of funds or disinterest on the part of his/her teachers. As a result, the innovation part takes a back seat. Innovation which is the biggest asset that a firm can have and which is essential for a firm to survive competition.

In this era of cut throat competition when all the companies have almost all the State of Art technologies, it is the level of innovation in their products which makes the whole difference.

This is clearly evident from the soaring success of Microsoft which had Bill Gates a non engineer at the helm for many decades. Hence, it is only the people who are responsible for bringing novelty and innovation, and thus are regarded as the key differentiators. Both of which are limited to excuses for not doing assignments in our case. 

However who says that engineers cannot be good managers. They are good managers albeit in the short term, but that is as essential as the long term. Many a times, an engineer has saved crores of rupees of a firm by suggesting short cuts or more efficient production/supply chain management techniques. It is only when innovation without a base is involved that engineers falter. Hopefully a non engineer can answer this question.

I do invite the readers to write and tell me if they agree or disagree with my views.

Thank you