Some Australian IT professionals with aspirations of moving into leadership roles are hitting a “technical ceiling” within their organisations, but there are ways they can also develop into strong people leaders, according to an innovative Australia-based leadership psychologist. Duncan Fish, head coach and founder at The Engaging Executive Duncan Fish, head coach and founder at Australian executive coaching business The Engaging Executive, said technical professionals at the middle-manager level often either stop being promoted, or end up struggling in senior leadership roles due to underdeveloped people skills. Fish argues that structured insights from psychology, combined with the intentional practice of these skills in the workplace, can help more Australian IT professionals who have the motivation to learn become trusted, empathetic and influential leaders within their organisations. IT professionals are struggling with a ‘technical ceiling’ problem Duncan Fish has worked with a range of mid-level and senior managers in the Australian market. He said the IT executives he sees, like other technically-oriented professionals, are often rewarded in school, university and their early career for technical skills …