Archive
Writing.
Every essay, note, and external piece I've published. Filter by tag.
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TL;DR
- Over 80% of reorgs don't deliver expected value — have a damn good reason before starting
- Justify the reorg by documenting problems, proposed structure, and success criteria
- Empower people with choices via Yellow Sticky exercises instead of only directing moves
- Communication is your lifeline — nail it or drown in backlash
- Post-reorg: invest in team building, training, and honest lessons learned
TL;DR
- Essential reads: The Manager's Path, High Output Management, and Team Topologies
- Top online resources: LeadDev, StaffEng, and Engineering Ladders
- Key articles on what distinguishes great engineers, managing tech debt, and inclusive teams
- A growing, curated list shaped by real engineering management experience
TL;DR ↗
- You don't need a software engineering background to be an effective EM
- Being 'technical' means systems thinking and understanding complexity, not writing code
- Focus on what makes work visible — you can't ignore reality when everything is written down
- Managed 50+ developers directly and oversaw 450+ without ever writing meaningful code
TL;DR ↗
- Your first 90 days set the tone for your entire tenure as an engineering manager
- Listen first — understand the team's pain points before proposing changes
- Build trust through 1:1s, transparency, and following through on commitments
- Quick wins build credibility, but avoid making sweeping changes too early
TL;DR ↗
- New engineering managers often fall into avoidable traps in their first year
- Avoid doing the work yourself instead of empowering your team
- Don't skip 1:1s or treat them as status updates — they're for your people
- Recognize that the skills that got you promoted aren't the skills you need now
TL;DR
- Focus on fundamentals over exciting projects — it doubled profit and improved team happiness
- Great leaders coach; they don't try to out-throw the quarterback
- Ask 'dumb' questions like 'remind me, why are we here?' to sharpen team focus
- Stop being the loudest in the room — encourage and develop others' ideas
- If the business relies on you for success, build a leadership team around you