Engineering Advice You Didn't Ask For

When should you promote from within versus hire externally? The hosts debate the ideal traits of an engineering manager and whether engineers need to be at a senior level to transition into management. They explore how to convince skeptical engineers to embrace management roles and emphasize the importance of team opinions in the hiring process. Practical advice includes honing management skills through onboarding and stakeholder meetings. The discussion also touches on balancing technical involvement with effective people management.

The hosts dive into the red flags of poor performance and the often daunting PIP process. They discuss the low success rates of Performance Improvement Plans and how early interventions can prevent escalation. Insights on the emotional toll of layoffs and signs to watch for are shared, alongside tips for managing behavioral issues and reassigning talents effectively. The conversation reveals the fine balance between operational needs and team dynamics while highlighting how reputation can impact your career long-term.

Louie Bacaj, a former engineering team lead who now builds his own venture, shares insights on job quitting and counteroffers. Vic Vijayakumar, a staff engineer at Eventbrite, discusses compensation and the nuances of workplace culture. Thiago Ghisi, after a mini-retirement from big tech, offers thoughts on salary transparency and job pacing. Together, they delve into the motivations for changing jobs, the pitfalls of counteroffers, and the importance of understanding one’s worth in today’s job market.

The one about the famous one-on-one meetings.   What is the purpose of 1:1 meetings?  How often should you have 1:1s?  Whose responsibility are they?  What should their frequency be?  Some advice for new managers?  What if the person isn’t engaging or contributing?  Some common pitfalls to avoid  Should you come to them with an agenda? Transcript: