Engineering Advice You Didn't Ask For S02E07 - How do you become a Manager of Managers?
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Nov 6, 2024 Explore the journey of transitioning to a manager of managers, filled with cautionary tales about authority and technical skills. Discover the balance between overseeing multiple teams and maintaining close connections to the work. Hear practical tips on staying engaged, managing office politics, and improving work-life balance while navigating the complexities of performance issues and promotion calibrations. The discussion also emphasizes coaching and partnership as essential tools for effective management.
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Reluctant Rise To Managing Managers
- Louie described reluctantly becoming a manager after hiring several people and splitting his team into multiple teams.
- He warned that staying a manager of managers indefinitely can turn the role into sending emails and making presentations rather than leading product work.
Multiple Tracks Spawn Manager Layers
- Thiago observed people become managers of managers by running multiple work tracks and promoting leads.
- He noted the role quickly shifts to meetings and process, making it hard to retain hands-on technical skills.
Startup Role Keeps You Close
- Mitra shared she currently is a manager of managers at a startup and enjoys being only one level from the C-suite.
- She stays connected by meeting engineers monthly and joining PRD/RFC meetings to keep technical context.