Are you in testing for more than 5 years ?
And worried how to get in to leadership roles?
You are not alone.
In my 20 years experience and mentoring 100+ testers, this is the common challenge faced by the testers.
Most feel that ‘manual’ testing is stopping their growth. They think that if they have ‘automation skills’, their growth would have been easier.
But this is myth.
Your automation experience or technical skills alone won’t help you to grow in your career.
You may need to prove that you have required skills and capability to climb up the ladder.
Here is what I suggest:
First thing is, you need to change your mindset. Don’t think that you are just clicking buttons to test. You need to consider yourself as a business partner. You supporting the business by reporting quality status and managing risk.
Next is, start thinking in business terms. Do not say that you have reported 20 bugs. Say that you have identified 20 problems before they reach users. You have avoided those problems.
You need to come out of ‘doer’ mode. Now you should start leading.
Start grooming the junior testers. Guide them based your experience and your intuitions based on the experience. Try to solve challenges they face in day-today activities. Be the approachable person.
Volunteer to present. Meetings or the presentations/demos are the opportunities. Opportunities to showcase your achievements and skills. You will develop crucial skills-what to communicate, how to communicate.
I have seen testers moving to leadership roles, not just by automation skills.
They do so due to human skills.
PS: What do you do to get in to leadership roles?