This book is designed to help software engineers transition into management roles effectively. It covers a wide range of topics including the transition from engineer to manager, organizing information, delegating tasks, managing one's own boss, hiring and firing, performance and salary reviews, and building a great team. The book also delves into the psychology of management, such as coaching and mentoring, dealing with deadline pressure, handling sensitive information, and navigating workplace politics. It emphasizes practical, hands-on techniques and tools to support flexible and remote working, improve diversity in the industry, and ensure best practices across departments.
This book provides a hands-on approach to help engineering managers understand and develop the necessary skills to lead effectively. It covers roles and responsibilities of directors, VPs, and CTOs, time management, strategy execution, communication at scale, performance management, and navigating career journeys. The book also discusses how to manage senior individual contributors, peers, and other stakeholders, and how to adapt leadership styles during different business cycles.
“Leadership is where you have, not necessarily a large organization, but increasing scope and increasing impact, while bringing lots of people along with you.”
In this milestone episode of the podcast, James Stanier returns for the third time to discuss his latest book, “Become a Great Engineering Leader.” We explore the role of an engineering leader and delve deep into the nuances of engineering leadership.
James explains the difference between an engineering leader and an engineering manager through the lens of the three levels of warfare: strategy, operational, and tactical. We then discuss the importance of organizational chart design and some best practices, including Conway’s law and how to avoid politics.
James also talks about the importance of time management, always having a long-term view of your work (long-termism), and the critical role of writing in leadership. We discuss important approaches such as one-way vs. two-way doors and balancing between writing vs. bias for action.
Finally, James explains the importance of strategic thinking, why a strategy is not necessarily a plan, and how an engineering leader can communicate their strategy effectively. He also provides practical tips for upcoming engineering leaders and discusses how we should all navigate a career in technology.
Listen out for:
(00:02:19) Writing "Become a Great Engineering Leader"
(00:04:21) The Role of Engineering Leader
(00:05:57) Engineering Leader vs Engineering Manager
(00:09:36) Tenure Relevancy
(00:11:30) The Importance of an Org Chart
(00:13:44) Org Chart Best Practices
(00:15:55) Conway's Law
(00:17:16) Avoiding Politics
(00:21:41) Writing Skills & Time Management
(00:26:35) T-Shaped Leadership
(00:28:39) Long-termism
(00:33:02) Leadership is Writing
(00:36:13) Writing vs Bias for Action
(00:38:20) One-Way vs Two-Way Door
(00:41:09) Reading & Seeking Information
(00:44:46) Strategic Thinking
(00:48:05) A Strategy is Not a Plan
(00:52:23) Communicating Your Strategy
(00:55:39) Becoming an Engineering Leader
(01:01:56) 3 Engineering Leader Wisdom
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James Stanier’s Bio
James Stanier is Director of Engineering at Shopify. James holds a Ph.D. in computer science and runs theengineeringmanager.com. He has over a decade of experience with building people and software. He is also the author of Become an Effective Software Manager and Effective Remote Work.
Follow James:
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