Managers Club, Interviews and Resources for Engineering Managers

In this video, Agata Grzybek, engineering manager at Netflix, shares some of her most important lessons about engineering management. This video is a must-watch if you're thinking about becoming an engineering manager or are already in a leadership role. She covers many topics, including burnout, meditation, women in tech, coaching, productivity, non-violent communication (NVC), and more. She also shares her thoughts on engineering managers' challenges and opportunities. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in engineering management!

Want to learn more about career planning? We discuss what career planning is and what the most crucial considerations are. What strategies may individuals use to increase the clarity of their career planning? How would you go about career planning, particularly as a manager or leader in engineering? Why do some individuals stay in middle management while others are on this fast track and go to the vice president level? Find out more now!

What are some of the biggest challenges that people encounter in managing up? How should people speak to their manager? How to use influence. What is assertive communication? And how to ask for what you want. Plus important advice for those raised not to disagree with authority. You will leave with resources to develop the skill of managing up.

Introverted? Make this your superpower by learning how to be an introverted leader! I spoke to Wen Hsu, a coach who specializes in working with first- and second-generation female leaders. The benefits and drawbacks of being a first or second-generation immigrant are explored. We cover why imposter syndrome can be a good thing! We also talk about double standards for women in tech, how to keep women in the field, and how to help them succeed as engineering leaders.

Learn to be a great engineering leader. This week I speak with Anand Safi, Director of Engineering at Mark43, Advisory Board Member, Mentor & Coach. We talk about what is important to look for in hiring, the importance of having a routine and themes for the day, strategy, ruthless prioritization, focussing on people's strengths, and more.

Learn to be a great engineering leader. This week I speak with Madhu Vohra Director of Engineering at VMWare. We talk about the ability to manage work, life, kids all of that, given that our lives and work have blended so well, the necessity of inclusive job descriptions in hiring, the importance of hiring, focusing on your strengths, relinquishing control, and more!

Learn to be a great engineering leader. This week I speak with Swapna Savant Director of Engineering at Headspace Health and founder of adaptUp. We talk about presenting to executives, the necessity of inclusive job descriptions in hiring, self-awareness, setting realistic goals rather than aiming for the stars, plus networking ideas, and more! #engineering #leadership #management #womenintech

Teach the Geek to Speak's Neil Thompson discusses improving presentations this week. We cover: What are engineers' biggest public speaking challenges? How should presenters prepare? What's the difference between non-technical and technical audiences? Does the rise of WFH affect how to do presentations over Zoom vs. face-to-face best? And more! Transcript at https://managersclub.com/improve-your-presentations/ 0:08 Tell us a bit about yourself and how did you get into teaching about public speaking? 02:22 How would you define a great public speaker? 03:43 What are the most common difficulties engineers have from doing well at public speaking? 05:29 How should people best prepare to give a presentation? 06:39 What is the difference between giving a presentation to a non-technical audience versus a technical audience? 08:48 Now that so many people are WFH, does it change how you do public speaking over Zoom, for example, instead of a live face-to-face audience? 10:32 Do you have any tips regarding visuals, slide decks, etc.? 12:02 Any tips on how to handle Q&A? Is it better to save all questions to the end or take them as you go? 12:22 What is the best way to get feedback after a talk? 14:07 Are there any tools, books or resources you would recommend to people to improve their public speaking? For example, I know that many people recommend toastmasters for this... 16:37 Any advice for people who English is not their first language? 17:11 Where can we go to learn more about you and your course? RESOURCES: ⭐️ Neil's website: teachthegeek.com ⭐️ Neil's YouTube channel: youtube.teachthegeek.com ⭐️ Neil's Podcast: anchor.fm/teachthegeek ⭐️ Neil's book: https://amzn.to/3MigUps WHO AM I: I’m Vidal, an author, podcaster, and engineering manager working at LinkedIn in the SF Bay Area. I am on a mission to help and inspire engineering leaders everywhere. MY BOOKS: ⭐️ The Software Engineering Manager Interview Guide https://amazon.com/dp/B086JMXP28 ⭐️ Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HM6LSCL FOLLOW ME: ⭐️ My website: https://www.managersclub.com ⭐️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalgraupera/ ⭐️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgraupera ⭐️ ManagersClub LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13846374/ GET IN TOUCH: If you’d like to talk, I’d love to hear from you. Pinging me directly on LinkedIn will be the quickest way to get a response, but if your question is very long, feel free to email me at hi@managersclub.com. ----------------------- Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and buy something, I get a tiny commission, which helps me keep bringing you material like this. #leadership #management #engineering #blackintech

Chintan Shan, VP of Engineering at Collective & ex-Uber joins me this week. We talk about the Jobs to be Done framework and great advice for sourcing candidates. In addition, he shares some key points for new managers and two good book recommendations for managers. Transcript at https://managersclub.com/engineering-leadership-chintan-shah-vp-engineering/ 0:01 Introduction 0:22 What’s your background, and how did you get into management? 2:17 What are the biggest challenges you face as an engineering leader? 3:01 Could you share with us a lesson you learned as an engineering leader? 6:47 Hiring is an important function of management. What is your approach to hiring? 11:15 What’s your advice for managers who are just starting? 15:24 What’s your workday like, and how do you manage your time, emails, calendar, etc.? 19:14 What’s a personal habit contributing to your success as an engineering leader? 21:17 Can you share an internet resource, app, or tool that helps you as a manager? 24:10 If you could recommend one book to managers, what would it be and why? 25:49 As a manager, what is your approach to developing & leveling up members of your team? 29:18 What does it take to be a great engineering leader? 30:58 Where can we go to learn more about you? RESOURCES ⭐️ Chintan Shan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chintan/ ⭐️ Clayton Christensen's Innovator's Dilemma. https://amzn.to/3FDZOQD ⭐️ Turn the Ship Around https://amzn.to/3l19ZF9 ⭐️ Amazon leadership principles ⭐️ gem.com WHO AM I: I’m Vidal, an author, podcaster, and engineering manager working at LinkedIn in the SF Bay Area. I am on a mission to help and inspire engineering leaders everywhere. MY BOOKS: ⭐️ The Software Engineering Manager Interview Guide https://amazon.com/dp/B086JMXP28 ⭐️ Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HM6LSCL FOLLOW ME: ⭐️ My website: https://www.managersclub.com ⭐️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalgraupera ⭐️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgraupera ⭐️ ManagersClub LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13846374/ GET IN TOUCH: If you’d like to talk, I’d love to hear from you. Pinging me directly on LinkedIn will be the quickest way to get a response, but if your question is very long, feel free to email me at hi@managersclub.com. ----------------------- Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and buy something, I get a tiny commission, which helps me keep bringing you material like this. #leadership #management #engineering #leadershipdevelopment

Guillermo Manzo, Senior Engineering Manager at Expedia, joins me this week. We hear how he went from the Marine Corps to a successful engineering leader. Guillermo offers leadership and delegation tips. We discuss hiring diversity. And we cover his approach to career advancement and leveling up his direct reports among other things. Transcript at https://managersclub.com/engineering-leadership-guillermo-manzo-senior-manager-expedia-us-marine/ 0:01 Introduction 0:22 What’s your background, and how did you get into management? 3:48 What are the biggest challenges you face as an engineering leader? 6:18 Could you share with us a lesson you learned as an engineering leader? 7:47 Hiring is an important function of management. What is your approach to hiring? 10:40 What’s your advice for managers who are just starting? 12:52 What’s your workday like, and how do you manage your time, emails, calendar, etc.? 15:35 What’s a personal habit contributing to your success as an engineering leader? 17:36 If you could recommend one book to managers, what would it be and why? 18:28 Can you share an internet resource, app, or tool that helps you as a manager? 19:58 As a manager, what is your approach to developing & leveling up members of your team? 24:35 What does it take to be a great engineering leader? 25:28 Where can we go to learn more about you? RESOURCES ⭐️ Guillermo Manzo on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillermomanzo/ ⭐️ The Prince by Machiavelli https://amzn.to/3OQSK7s WHO AM I: I’m Vidal, an author, podcaster, and engineering manager working at LinkedIn in the SF Bay Area. I am on a mission to help and inspire engineering leaders everywhere. MY BOOKS: ⭐️ The Software Engineering Manager Interview Guide https://amazon.com/dp/B086JMXP28 ⭐️ Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HM6LSCL FOLLOW ME: ⭐️ My website: https://www.managersclub.com ⭐️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalgraupera/ ⭐️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgraupera ⭐️ ManagersClub LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13846374/ GET IN TOUCH: If you’d like to talk, I’d love to hear from you. Pinging me directly on LinkedIn will be the quickest way to get a response, but if your question is very long, feel free to email me at hi@managersclub.com. ----------------------- Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and buy something, I get a tiny commission, which helps me keep bringing you material like this. #leadership #management #engineering #latinx