LeadDev's PriorityZero S1E13 Learning to let go when managing managers with Shopify's Allison Malloy
5 snips
Jan 13, 2025 Allison Malloy, Director of Engineering at Shopify, shares her fascinating journey from aspiring astronaut to tech leader. She discusses the unexpected challenges of transitioning to management and the necessity of letting go when overseeing other managers. Remote team dynamics take center stage as she highlights the importance of communication and trust. Additionally, Allison dives into Shopify's mission of unifying services and enhancing team capabilities, all while ensuring that major project goals are appropriately set for future advancements.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
From Astronaut Dreams to Software
- Allison Malloy's initial spark for software engineering arose from a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, leading her to focus on math and science.
- Despite applying to the Canadian astronaut program, her career path shifted to software development after building websites for organizations like the Canadian Safety Council.
The Unintentional Manager
- Allison Malloy's journey into management was unintentional, starting with leading teams in non-technical roles.
- She naturally became a team lead and manager, highlighting the concept of the unintentional manager.
Managing by Default vs. Choice
- Many engineers become managers by default, not by choice.
- Shopify prioritizes fulfilling careers for individual contributors, recognizing not all engineers desire or are suited for management.