From Specialist to Leader: Finding Your Path Forward

Making the leap from specialist to manager can feel like stepping into completely unfamiliar territory. You've mastered your craft, whether that's design, strategy, or copywriting, but suddenly you're being asked to manage people, navigate office politics, and deal with team dynamics. It's natural to wonder if this is really the right path for you.

This question was answered by Mike Tsapazi, Managing Director at The Edison Agency, and Katie Feder, registered Psychotherapist. Mike brings over 25 years of retail expertise with brands like Nike and Bunnings, while Katie specialises in emotional health and wellbeing. The session was hosted by Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative.

Management isn't the only way up

One of the biggest myths in career progression is that moving up always means managing people. As Mike explains, "Don't believe the myth that progression means you have to be a manager. You can be an elite consultant or senior strategist or creative director and not manage teams or people."

There are specialists who operate at the highest levels of their field without ever taking on management responsibilities. These experts are brought in for their knowledge and skills, not their ability to run teams. They've found ways to advance their careers while staying true to what they love doing.

Two types of leadership in agencies

Mike identifies two distinct leadership styles that might help you understand where you fit: "There's really two types of leaders... they're onfield leaders and off-field leaders."

Onfield leaders are the ones sitting amongst the team, offering advice on the run, helping with creative blocks, and mentoring colleagues. They're leaders by default because of their expertise and experience, but they don't necessarily have direct reports.

Off-field leaders are more like coaches. They're in the meeting rooms, defining strategy, building direction for the business. These are typically the people everyone reports to, focusing on the bigger picture rather than day-to-day creative work.

Testing the waters before diving in

If you're curious about management but unsure, there are ways to explore without committing fully. Mike suggests putting your hand up to mentor someone, either formally or informally, or volunteering to manage a project within your current role.

"How does it make you feel? Do you get a buzz from it? Do you get a kick from it?" These small experiments can give you valuable insight into whether leadership energises or drains you.

Ask yourself the right questions

Katie offers some deeper questions to help you understand what truly motivates you: "What are the qualities of the day that I most enjoy? What are the aspects of the roles that embodies those qualities? Why are those qualities important to me?"

She encourages getting curious about what you love and why you love it. How do you feel when you get those fulfilling moments? How do you feel when you don't? Sometimes the answer isn't immediately obvious, and that's perfectly fine.

Remember, it's a different job entirely

Moving into management means developing a completely new skill set. As Mike points out, "It's a different job. It's a different skill set... it's a bit like when you come out of uni, you're a bit of a deer in headlights."

The good news is that you've navigated major career transitions before. You survived your first job out of university, and you can learn these new skills too. The difference is you're now getting paid considerably more and have a wealth of experience to draw from.

Consider what gives you energy

For some people, the shift from hands-on creative work to enabling others might actually be more fulfilling. As Andy suggests, it's worth checking whether your real satisfaction comes from being "on the tools" or from "seeing great ideas get out in the world" where you might play a different but equally important role.

Mike shares his own perspective: "I don't profess to being brilliant at anything, but I enjoy helping others achieve great results." For him, the energy comes from developing people and watching them succeed.

Whether you choose the management path or find ways to advance as a specialist, the key is understanding what genuinely energises you. There's no right or wrong answer, just the path that feels authentic to who you are and what you want from your career. Take time to explore, ask questions, and remember that career progression doesn't have to follow a prescribed route.

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