If you’re a manufacturing engineer who has been overlooked for management roles, it’s natural to wonder if you need to be “perfect” to finally get there. Perhaps you think you need flawless technical skills, a spotless track record, or years of experience before you’re ready to manage others. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be perfect to be a manager. Leadership isn’t about technical perfection; it’s about having the potential to guide, support, and inspire a team.

In this article, we’ll break down why striving for perfection can hold you back and what really matters when it comes to moving into a management role.

1. Leadership Is About People, Not Perfection

As engineers, we’re often expected to work precisely, follow strict standards, and pay attention to every detail. This technical rigor is valuable, but when it comes to management, the focus shifts. Managers aren’t expected to be the most technically skilled person in the room; they’re expected to be people-oriented leaders who can drive a team toward a shared goal.

Successful managers prioritize people over perfection. They know how to:

• Motivate and empower their team members.
• Create a collaborative and supportive environment.
• Communicate the bigger picture and align the team with company goals.

This doesn’t mean that your technical skills aren’t important. It simply means that your ability to connect with, support, and lead others is what will set you apart as a manager.

2. Your Potential Matters More Than Your Track Record

Managers aren’t born with all the answers, and they certainly don’t have a perfect track record. It’s common to feel that your experience might not be “enough” or that mistakes you’ve made in the past disqualify you from a leadership role. But here’s the reality: potential is more valuable than perfection.

If you’re committed to growth, open to feedback, and willing to learn, you have what it takes to be an effective manager. Leadership potential shows up in many ways, such as:

• Your ability to adapt and learn from new challenges.
• How you handle setbacks or failure.
• Your openness to improving and developing new skills.

Every manager makes mistakes, and every leader has areas to improve. But your willingness to learn, grow, and push past your comfort zone is what proves you’re ready for more responsibility. Rather than focusing on a flawless past, focus on how you’re preparing for a successful future.

3. Managers Aren’t Expected to Know Everything

One common misconception is that managers need to be technical experts on every topic their team handles. But as a manager, you’re not expected to have all the answers—you’re expected to guide your team to find the answers. Good managers leverage the skills and expertise of their team members and aren’t afraid to ask questions.

Here’s what being a manager truly requires:

• Delegating: Recognize your team members’ strengths and trust them to handle tasks you may not be an expert in.
• Learning from your team: Embrace the opportunity to learn from others’ expertise, creating a dynamic and knowledgeable team environment.
• Focusing on outcomes: As a manager, your role is to keep the team focused on goals and ensure that the necessary resources and support are in place—not to know every technical detail.

When you embrace that it’s okay not to know everything, you allow yourself to lean into your true role as a leader, which is to enable and empower others to do their best work.

4. Being Imperfect Makes You a More Relatable Leader

One of the most overlooked qualities in a manager is relatability. When you strive for perfection, you risk appearing distant or unapproachable, especially if you’re constantly focused on flawless execution. But when you embrace your imperfections and show vulnerability, you create a more authentic connection with your team.

Here’s why imperfection can actually make you a better leader:

• Building trust: Teams tend to trust leaders who are open about their challenges and honest about their limitations. This builds an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their own struggles, leading to better collaboration.
• Promoting resilience: Showing that you don’t have it all figured out, but you’re working through it, sets an example of resilience. Your team will learn that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as they’re learning and growing.
• Encouraging open communication: When you’re open about your own areas for improvement, you invite your team to communicate openly about theirs. This encourages a growth-focused, supportive team culture.

Relatable leaders inspire trust, encourage growth, and create a culture where people feel safe to take risks and innovate. So, don’t hide your imperfections—use them to connect and lead authentically.

5. The Best Managers Are Always Learning

If you’re waiting to be “ready” to step into management, you may be waiting a long time. One of the hallmarks of a great manager is that they never stop learning. In management, you’ll encounter new challenges every day that will push you to grow in ways you can’t anticipate. The best managers recognize that they are, and always will be, a work in progress.

Here’s how to embrace continuous learning as a leader:

• Seek out feedback: Regular feedback helps you understand your strengths and areas for improvement. Make a habit of asking your team and peers for input on your performance.
• Learn from each experience: Each day in management brings new insights. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity to improve your skills and refine your approach.
• Invest in your development: From leadership books to management workshops, there are countless ways to keep growing. Taking the time to invest in yourself will only make you a more effective manager.

When you embrace the idea that growth is continuous, you stop waiting for the “right moment” and start leading with confidence and humility.

You’re Ready to Lead—Just as You Are

You don’t need to be perfect to be a manager. In fact, striving for perfection can hold you back from taking the leap into leadership. Management is about potential, growth, and your ability to inspire and support a team. Your technical skills got you to where you are, but your leadership potential will take you to where you want to go.

If you’re an engineer aspiring to become a manager, remember that your imperfections don’t disqualify you; they make you relatable, adaptable, and driven to keep improving. Step into leadership just as you are, and trust that you have what it takes to succeed.

Don’t wait for perfection. Embrace your potential and start leading today.