Refactoring Podcast

How to Manage Humans 🎽 β€” with Rands

55 snips
May 30, 2025
Michael Lopp, known as Rands, is a Senior Director at Apple and an author renowned for his insights on engineering management. He dives into his writing journey and how it shaped his approach to leadership. Discussing modern engineering challenges, Rands emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills over technical prowess. He also highlights the mentoring of new managers and the balance required in integrating AI while preserving essential human interactions. A fascinating reflection on the chaos and complexity of managing teams in today's tech landscape!
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ANECDOTE

Lopp's Writing Journey

  • Michael Lopp started journaling at 14 and transitioned to blogging 20 years ago, which shaped his writing style and impact.
  • His viral blog posts about leadership for engineers helped him realize what resonates and grew his influence.
INSIGHT

Writing Sharpens Thinking

  • Writing helps crystallize thoughts, turning opinions into concrete ideas that deepen understanding.
  • This process makes thinkers smarter and more thoughtful about their topics.
ADVICE

Build a Daily Writing Habit

  • Write 100 words daily consistently to build a strong writing habit, culminating in producing a book.
  • Finishing a book, though hard and stressful, builds confidence and a sense of achievement.
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