Ladybug Podcast

Explore the intricacies of managing a remote engineering team. Discover the importance of building trust and setting clear communication norms. Learn practical strategies for effective async meetings and celebrating team wins, from virtual events to trivia games. Unpack the unique challenges presented by time zones and the need for maintaining work-life balance. Gain insights into supporting mental health and managing conflicts remotely. This discussion is a treasure trove of tips for leading distributed teams successfully.

Collaboration is crucial for engineering managers, especially when working with product managers and stakeholders. The hosts emphasize the importance of clear communication and setting expectations. They discuss balancing technical debt with product goals and the need for engineers to think like product partners. Strategies for involving designers early in the process are highlighted, as well as the significance of relating engineering efforts to business outcomes. Tips for giving concise updates to leadership round out the conversation.

Episode Notes As an engineering manager, project management isn’t just a skill—it’s part of the job. In this episode, we unpack what effective project management looks like from the EM seat. From setting realistic timelines and tracking progress to balancing technical depth with stakeholder expectations, we explore how to keep projects on track without becoming a bottleneck. Whether you're new to the role or looking to sharpen your execution game, this episode offers practical advice to help you lead projects with confidence and clarity. 02:08 Fundamentals of project management 05:28 The project lifecycle 06:24 Planning and estimation 17:01 Measuring progress 23:09 Handling scope creep 31:13 Communication and stakeholder management

Jump into the essential first 90 days of being an engineering manager! Discover the importance of building trust and understanding team dynamics before making changes. Explore emotional challenges, the balance between empathy and authority, and strategies to navigate early obstacles. Learn about the significance of influence and relationships in leadership. With personal stories and practical insights, this guide aims to support new managers in making a strong start.

Transitioning from an individual contributor to an engineering manager is both thrilling and daunting. The discussion covers vital responsibilities that shift, emphasizing the art of delegation and its role in team success. Listeners learn the importance of mastering conflict resolution and effective communication. Tips for navigating busy meeting schedules, balancing personal well-being, and fostering a supportive team environment are also highlighted. The journey is filled with personal anecdotes, making it relatable for anyone in the tech field considering this shift.

Explore the fascinating world of engineering management, where the roles of an engineering manager and a tech lead are distinctly defined. Delve into essential skills for effective leadership and the challenges of balancing team autonomy with technical proficiency. Discover the art of navigating feature demands while managing technical debt. The hosts also reflect on their personal journeys in the field, sharing valuable insights from management literature that can enhance communication and conflict resolution.

What is a typical day in the life like for a software engineer? To close out Season 6, we thought it’d be a great idea to give you some insight into our workdays, as we all have very different roles and are in different stages of our careers. Show Notes [02:54] Morning routines [16:09] Beginning of the workday [28:15] The rest of the workday [49:03] Evenings and weekends [53:57] Top 3 tools for productivity Resources Any.do Fantastical Canva Things Superhuman Trello Apple Watch Markdown Notes Asana Resilient Management Animedoro Can Do writing The Little Memory Ali’s Trello Setup Transcript Here is this week's transcript

APIs are part of our daily roles as software developers, but what are they? What different types are there? And how can you design a good one? Show Notes [01:53] What is an API? [03:37] Types of APIS [15:02] GraphQL [19:49] REST [28:25] API Design [44:35] Shoutouts Resources The Happiness Project Shopify developer community BrainF**k OneGraph Scott Moss's YouTube Transcript Here is this week's transcript.

The definition of Agile is the ability to create and respond to change. Ultimately dealing with and succeeding in an uncertain or turbulent environment. I think we can all say with confidence that in the world of software development, being agile and agreeable to change helps you learn faster, connect with others better, and makes coding more fun. Today we are talking about the agile framework of software developers, its significance in the workplace and the familiar steps an agile process takes to go from a project’s concept, to the physical minimum viable product. Show Notes [03:00] What is Agile? [04:43] Agile Software Development [15:44] Agile Manifesto For Agile Software Development [16:00] 4 values [19:33] 12 Principles [34:07] Benefits [35:45] Drawbacks [38:34] What is Scrum? [44:05] Careers in scrum [53:56] Shout-Outs Resources The agile Manifesto The Agile Subway Map Sprints Scrum Alliance Certifications SAFe Certifications Transcript Here is this episode's transcript.

Java is a high-level, class-based, object-oriented programming language. It’s a general-purpose programming language designed to let app developers: write once, run anywhere. Today we’re diving into the world of Java. Show Notes [01:30] Our experiences working with Java [04:34] History of Java [07:45] Five goals of Java [13:06] Object oriented [14:00] Threaded language [15:35] Interpreted language [17:39] Terminology [22:04] Basic Syntax [23:33] Inheritance [26:51] Interfaces [28:00] Classes [29:56] Modifiers [31:30] Constructors [33:11] Enums [34:39] Basic Data Types [35:56] Overriding [42:51] Shoutouts Resources Learning Java Interpreter vs. Compiler Access Variables Oracle Angie Jones course on Test Automation U Angie Jones Jocelyn Harper Git Cute Podcast Transcript Here is this episode's transcript.