The transition from a purely technical expert or individual contributor position to a broader leadership role is one of the most challenging phases in a STEM career. It requires moving away from relying solely on technical excellence toward mastering systems thinking, adaptive leadership, and team alignment.
To help mid-career professionals navigate the shift, the inaugural IEEE International Leadership Conference is designed to provide attendees with practical tools to step into broader responsibility and champion an entrepreneurial mindset.
The ILC event is scheduled for 3 and 4 October in Budapest. Registration is open.
Solving the intrapreneur’s dilemma
Championing disruptive ideas within established corporate structures, sometimes called the intrapreneur’s dilemma, does not mean working against the organization. Rather, it requires emerging leaders to act like business owners instead of passive task-takers.
IEEE Senior Member Deyasini Majumdar, cochair of the ILC program committee, advises professionals to exercise leadership and strategic thinking skills without being asked.
“Within the constraints of established organizational structures, you can unearth a treasure trove of opportunities to innovate,” Majumdar says. “Remember: A key trait of an effective leader is to engineer solutions and lead, even in the face of difficulties.”
Read the full article on IEEE Spectrum.
Secure Your Spot (Early-Bird Rates End 1 September 2026): ieeeilc.org
