Most Important Skills for an Automation Engineering Manager at Walmart
For a manager in automation engineering at Walmart, success hinges on strong interpersonal skills—"being personable," "having patience," and adapting to diverse communication styles—to effectively collaborate and achieve project goals. The ability to communicate succinctly and proactively, including mastering "very succinct writing" and independently driving projects with broad directives, is also crucial for career advancement.
Communication, Project Management, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alexander Claiborne
Manager, Automation Engineering
Walmart
University of California, Santa Barbara
N/A
Environmental & Related Sciences
Automotive & Auto Parts, Technology
Operations and Project Management
Video Highlights
1. Excellent interpersonal skills and patience are crucial for effective collaboration.
2. Strong written communication skills, including concise and active writing, are essential for professional interaction.
3. Proactive problem-solving and the ability to independently manage projects are vital for career advancement.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
I would say trying to be personable. A lot of times I'm asking people for favors, asking them questions. So I try to always introduce myself kindly and say, "Hey, this is what I need."
It's important to make it clear that it's my responsibility to get something done. When you ask someone to take time out of their day to do something for you, they understand it's part of the business need.
This is coupled with having patience. Often, people are too busy to help, or they don't immediately understand the business need and need to consult their manager.
Therefore, I need to make a very clear ask: "This is exactly what's needed. This is the task, and this is the approximate time it should take." It's also about getting their input.
All of this ties together: being patient, learning how to work with people and different personalities. Each individual is different, with unique approaches to tasks and communication.
It's about adapting to how they communicate and learning how to get the most out of that. That's definitely one skill.
Another is very succinct writing. When I first started, I was quite talkative. Nobody wants to read a lengthy email; no one has the time for that.
So, after writing an email, I ask myself: "Can I make this shorter? What can I condense? What words can I leave out?" I also focus on using active voice, not passive.
You need to be really dialed in when writing. Effective writing is an important skill I wish I had worked on more in college, but with practice, you get better.
Finally, I'd say overall communication and being proactive. As you move up, you receive less direct instruction and more broad project ideas.
You need to figure out how to be proactive in bringing in the right people and covering all your bases. You need to think of everything.
I would say those are the most important skills.