Burnout, Taking Breaks & Engineering Management | Siddharth Sharma, Ex - CTO, Shaadi.com | SCALER POD 18

In this episode of Scaler Pod, we have Siddharth Sharma, former CTO of Shaadi.com, he delves into the critical topics of burnout, the significance of taking breaks, the ever-evolving world of engineering management and much more. With his extensive experience in building and managing teams, as well as overseeing systems at various scales, Siddharth provides valuable insights and practical advice for professionals seeking balance, growth, and success in their careers. Siddharth shares his personal journey and explores the importance of preventing burnout and the detrimental impact it can have on individuals and organizations. He discusses the signs and symptoms of burnout, identifies the underlying causes, and offers effective strategies for coping and recovering from this pervasive issue. Also, offering guidance on building resilience, setting boundaries, and cultivating a healthy work-life integration. As an accomplished engineering leader, Siddharth also sheds light on the role of managers in organizations. He demystifies the complexities of engineering management, emphasizing the crucial skills needed to effectively lead and motivate teams. Siddharth shares valuable tips on navigating office politics, negotiating effectively, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Through engaging anecdotes and storytelling techniques, he demonstrates how communication and empathy can help individuals thrive amidst organizational challenges. Whether you're an aspiring professional, a seasoned manager, or intrigued by the intersection of technology and human experiences, this episode of Scaler Pod provides a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on burnout, breaks, tech leadership, and more.

Also, check out other Scaler Pod Episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL... Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction

00:32 Day in his Life during Sabbatical and His Newsletter

03:25 His Tech Journey and Early Career as Investment Banker

08:43 Building Smartbus Startup rBus and Learnings

13:43 His Role at Shaadi.com as CTO & interaction with Anupam Mittal

17:24 Emotional Connect of Shaadi.com among Indians

19:46 Experiences at InVideo and Browser-based Apps

25:12 How to know you are Burnt out and its possible effects?

31:51 When to get back from a Sabbatical / Break?

35:48 How to Prevent Getting Burnt Out?

39:57 Company Culture and Core of Tech Leadership

45:05 Flexible Work Environment and Pleasure-Driven Development

47:12 Role of Managers and Essence of Engineering Management

52:33 Transition from IC to EM

57:24 Becoming an Engineer Manager and Understanding the Career Ladder

1:02:03 Scaler's Impact and Traditional Indian Mindset

1:05:33 Politics at Workplace and Dealing with it

1:10:15 Negotiating, Storytelling and Building Narratives

1:14:50 Hiring Process and Finding the Right Fit

1:18:05 Importance of QA, Presentation and Attention

1:23:30 Shaadi.com Android App Revamp Story

1:27:20 Organization Physiology and Building Quality Muscle

1:32:23 Becoming Better Managers and Executing Seamlessly

1:37:29 Generative AI, ChatGPT and Does this Affect Engineers?

1:41:50 Outro

#Burnout #Startups #workplaceploitics #scaler #edtech #tecnology #shaadicom #podcast #enginnering