Lara Hogan, author of Resilient Management and a management coach who has led teams at Kickstarter and Etsy, shares her insights on effective leadership. She emphasizes the critical roles of mentoring, coaching, sponsoring, and providing feedback. Hogan discusses the transformative power of sponsorship in career growth, advocating for a shift from mentorship to proactive advocacy. She also explores the transition from engineer to manager, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, community support, and aligning leadership with team missions.
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insights INSIGHT
Sponsorship vs. Mentorship
Sponsorship is key for career growth, unlike mentorship, which focuses on advice.
It involves advocating for someone's visibility and opportunities, leading to raises and promotions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Unexpected Leadership
Adam Stachowiak shares how an unexpected leadership opportunity in the military propelled his growth.
Being appointed squad leader by force fostered his leadership journey.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Invisible Sponsorship
Lara Hogan describes being unexpectedly listed as the point of contact during her manager's leave, expanding her network.
She also shares how her director defended her technical expertise, showcasing invisible sponsorship.
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Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Essentialism
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Greg McKeown
In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy. The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities. McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default.' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.
Switch
How to Change Things When Change Is Hard
Chip Heath
Dan Heath
In 'Switch', Chip and Dan Heath explore why making lasting changes is difficult due to the conflict between the rational mind and the emotional mind. They present a framework for successful change by uniting these two minds, drawing on decades of research in psychology, sociology, and other fields. The book provides compelling examples of how everyday people have achieved dramatic results by following this pattern, whether in personal, organizational, or societal contexts.
Lynchpin
Russell Brunson
The Manager's Path
A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change
Camille Fournier
Camille Fournier's "The Manager's Path" provides a comprehensive guide to engineering management, offering insights into various aspects of leadership in technical teams. The book covers topics such as building high-performing teams, managing conflict, and making effective decisions. Fournier's experience in the tech industry provides a practical perspective, offering relatable scenarios and actionable strategies. The book is a valuable resource for aspiring and experienced engineering managers seeking to improve their skills and effectiveness. It offers a structured approach to navigating the challenges and opportunities of leadership in a technical environment.
Resilient Management
None
Laura Hogan
Laura Hogan's "Resilient Management" offers a practical guide to effective leadership in the tech industry. The book emphasizes the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding in building strong teams. Hogan explores various leadership styles and provides actionable strategies for fostering a positive and productive work environment. She highlights the crucial roles of mentorship, coaching, and sponsorship in developing individual team members. The book is a valuable resource for engineering managers and leaders seeking to improve their skills and create a more resilient and successful team.
This week we’re joined by Lara Hogan – author of Resilient Management and management coach & trainer for the tech industry. Lara led engineering teams at Kickstarter and Etsy before she, and Deepa Subramaniam stepped away from their deep roots in the tech industry to start Wherewithall – a consultancy that helps level up managers and emerging leaders.
The majority of our conversation focuses on the four primary hats leaders and managers end up wearing; mentoring, coaching, sponsoring, and delivering feedback. We also talk about knowing when you’re ready to lead, empathy and compassion, and learning to lead.
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