Ash Norton - Engineering Leadership

09/29/2020

What I’ve seen time and time again is that developing the ‘soft skills’ is dismissed throughout engineers’ formal training.

Then, when they enter the workforce, they can’t make the progress or impact that matches their technical skills because they lack communication, creativity and interpersonal skills that are required.

Without question, technical skills matter when it comes to technical roles. But soft skills matter, too. Here are six non-technical skills every technical employee should master.

09/16/2020

Four engineers get into a car. It won’t start.

⚗️ Chemical engineer: “Must be impurities in the gasoline.”

⚙️ Mechanical engineer: “Nah, broken starter!”

⚡️Electrical engineer: “Definitely a dead battery.”

🖥 IT engineer: “I’ve got an idea! How about we all get out of the car and get back in?”

😂🤪🤓 Have a great day!

08/05/2020

05/21/2018

I’m blown away.

United States, Thailand, Canada, India, Russia, Pakistan, China, Philippines, Poland, Tunisia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Venezuela, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Mauritius, South Africa, Barbados, Israel, Romania, Serbia, Peru, Kenya, France, Morocco, Malaysia, Spain, Brazil.

What?!?!?!

These are the locations of the engineers who I’ve been able to help.

Little did I know when I started a website a little over a year ago and put up a few blog posts that it would have this sort of global reach.

Folks from these areas have found their Purpose as an Engineer with this free workbook.
buff.ly/2IzPNVZ

Some of these people have landed new jobs through 1-on-1 coaching.

Many have worked on Nailing the First Impression with this free eCourse.
https://buff.ly/2pH3Y3v

Companies have improved their engineering leadership pipelines through strategy development and training.

And some used the 100+ development activities in this free eBook to Grow as an Engineer.
https://buff.ly/2IvRt2Q

How can I help you today?

03/27/2018

We've heard you loud and clear!

For a limited time, we are offering this course for FREE!

Elevator Pitches for Engineers!

03/21/2018

These are great ways to close out a discussion!

Say "so long" to those awkward, pause-filled goodbyes.

03/15/2018

Great leaders care about their teammates. Genuinely care.

And when you genuinely care about someone, you have the hard conversations because you want the best for them.

A Recent Study Showed That 70 Percent of Leaders Are Scared to Talk With Their Employees. Here's a Solution

Don't let fear keep you from having those hard conversations. Here are four practices to make it easier on yourself and the people who report to you.

03/14/2018

What do WAFFLES have to do with making a great first impression?

Last week, I had the pleasure of talking with the Northern Kentucky Chapter of the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers.

We discussed making a great first impression, and why it is so important!

The 3 key characteristics of a positive first impression are:
1) Be Authentic
2) Be Interested
3) Be Interesting

I'll admit - for a long time I really struggled with being "interesting". What I've learned is that by reframing questions in a way that focus on the most interesting aspect of the discussion it really helps to keeps to keep a fun conversation going.

Take for example - breakfast.

No one cares what you had for breakfast this morning (eggs, pop tarts, cereal - boring). However, someone might be interested in what the BEST BREAKFAST you ever had was. With this, I envision waffles piled high with fruit, syrup dripping down with a huge dollop of whipped cream on top.

See the difference?

By tweaking a question by focusing on the most interesting aspect of a discussion you keep boring at bay!

Want more ideas for interesting questions to ask to keep conversations fun? Download 60+ Conversation Prompts for Engineers -> https://buff.ly/2DoVvXs

03/07/2018

Successful people build on their accomplishments, not rest on them.

While it is important to recognize and celebrate when you reach a milestone- don’t stop or lose momentum.

Your long-term success depends on your continued drive!

03/06/2018

First impressions-

Most people agree that they are important. But what does a great first impression look like?

In this video, I share my thoughts on the 3 things great first impressions share.

What do you think makes a great first impression?

03/04/2018

Eye contact 👀- How long should you do it?

Too much - you come across as threatening or creepy.

Too little - you seem uninterested or aloof.

In doing some research for an upcoming presentation with the Northern Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers, I learned something interesting about eye contact - which I share in the video below!

How much 👁 is just right for you?

03/03/2018

Exciting things are coming!

Do you have dreams of stepping into an engineering leadership role?
Are you a new engineering manager looking to accelerate your success AND impact?

Millennial Manager is a one-of-a-kind, tailored leadership program designed especially for aspiring and new engineering leaders.

If this sounds like you, check out the link in the first comment!