Any suggestions are appreciated!

I’m currently an individual contributor (engineer) and want to start building a path toward management, but I do not have much formal leadership experience yet.

For those who made the jump from IC to manager:

• How did you show leadership capability before you had the official title?
• What key skills or opportunities should I focus on taking on right now?
• What books, resources, or mindset shifts helped you the most early on?

Any advice or reality checks would be awesome. Thanks!

Is taking a contractor job at Boeing worth leaving a guaranteed $31/hr job?
I recently received an offer for a Product Repair/Modification Technician position at Boeing in Heath, Ohio, through a staffing agency.
The contract is for six months, paying $30/hr, with a potential opportunity to convert to a permanent Boeing employee afterward. However, during the interview, I was told the permanent pay would likely be around $23–$25/hr because of the benefits.
I currently make $31/hr working for a data center company, so taking the permanent position would mean a pretty significant pay cut. I’m also not sure how realistic the six-month conversion is or whether it’s something they commonly do versus just a possibility.
On the other hand, everyone I’ve talked to keeps telling me that having Boeing on my résumé could open doors long-term. The interviewer also mentioned that you can definitely buy a house working there, but that doesn’t really answer my concerns about the pay difference.
I’m supposed to start this Friday, but I’m hesitant to leave a stable job for a contract position with no guaranteed conversion.
For anyone who has worked at Boeing, especially in manufacturing or modification roles:
How realistic is conversion from contractor to permanent employee after six months?
Is there meaningful career growth and room to increase your pay over time?
Does having Boeing on your résumé genuinely open doors elsewhere?
Would you take this opportunity, or stay at a guaranteed $31/hr job in the data center industry?
I’m trying to make the smartest long-term career move, not just chase a big name. I’d appreciate honest advice from people who have actually been in this situation.