As a new manager, the author struggled to understand what motivated their team. To address this, they implemented the "Stay Interview" which is a preemptive "exit interview" to learn about what motivates the team. The Stay Interview consists of questions such as "what do you like to be recognized for?" and "what would entice you away from your company?". After implementing the Stay Interview, team retention dramatically improved.

Plato

Gaston Algaze

Founder & CEO at Jetpacks! | Remote Work Advocate | Ontology Coach | Engineering Mentor | Nearshoring Expert at Jetpacks!

Effective Strategies for Building High-Performing Engineering Teams

Building and managing successful engineering teams requires trust, effective communication, self-advocacy, and mentorship. Establishing trust with managers, advocating for oneself, and seeking guidance from experienced professionals are key strategies for overcoming challenges and achieving growth and success. It is important to approach these challenges as personal opportunities for improvement and to continuously adapt and put in effort to create a collaborative and successful engineering team.

Plato

Mohamed Aafrin

Head of Technology and Innovation at REV Media Group

Implementing a Process of Standardization for a Large Company

This article discusses the process of digitally transforming a large company's hiring process. The goal was to create a single system for HR teams to post job listings and evaluate potential candidates. This included a database to store resumes, a job board, and a preliminary questionnaire for candidates. The process was successful due to the organization of the information, making it easier to understand and interpret. This improved the hiring outcomes and increased visibility and transparency across the organization.

Plato

Vartika Chaubey

Director of Engineering at Mapbox

Being a Manager of a New Manager

In this article, the author recounts their experience of managing a new manager who took over their former team. The author describes the actions they took to ensure the team remained happy while empowering the new manager to exercise their authority, such as removing themselves from team meetings and participating in skip-level one-on-ones. The author also shares lessons they learned from the experience, such as not imposing their management style on other managers, not abandoning the team, and setting up regular check-ins and milestones with their managers.

Plato

Jonathan Ducharme

Engineering Manager at AlleyCorp Nord

How to Maintain Happiness: The Underrated Aspect of Creating Team Dynamic

As a manager, it is important to prioritize mental wellness in the workplace in order to create a safe, pleasant environment for employees. This can be done by creating a safe space for open communication, conducting check-ins with compassion, and reframing workloads when necessary. The impact of a happy work environment is immense, as it creates a sense of family and selfless motivation. Valuing employees' time and effort is key to creating a healthy and happy work environment.

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Sari Harrison

Head of Product at Esalen

The first step of convincing is listening

When faced with a seemingly impossible task from a superior, the author chose to access their curiosity and ask questions to gain a better understanding of the situation. Through this process, they were able to come to a mutual agreement that the task was not necessary at the time and could be done later. This demonstrates the importance of being open to hearing what superiors have to say and using curiosity to gain context before making a decision.

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Eric Rabinovich

VP of Engineering at Aspectiva - a Walmart company

When Many Employees Leave the Company Simultaneously

As a leader, it can be difficult to accept when people leave the company. To turn the situation around, it is important to understand why people are leaving and to focus on those who are still considering leaving. It is also important to accept that people will leave, and to embrace those who remain. Additionally, it is important to avoid giving people ultimatums and to understand that the journey is a rollercoaster.

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Manoj Gadhiya

Sr. Manager, Data Engineering, AI at Unity Technologies

Insights on Diversity and Inclusion

This article discusses the need for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the practical steps that can be taken to achieve this. The author outlines their goals to improve diversity and inclusion, such as balancing the recruitment funnel, creating special experiences for diversity candidates, and fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. They also discuss the importance of measuring the impact of their efforts and the lessons they have learned.

Plato

Who to follow

Anurag Jain

Engineering Leadership

Bertrand Deriot

Consultant in Leadership and Digital Transformation, Professional coach

Rodrigo Russo

ex-Unico, ex-Walmart | Fractional CTO (pre-seed & seed) | Tech Advisor

Zhenzhong Xu

VP, Engineering at Voltron Data | coach & motorcycle racer

Jose Ciccio

Sr. Engineering Manager | University Professor | Lead SE | Game Developer

Otavio Santana

Software Engineer, Architect, and Open Source Committer

Connect and Learn with the Best Eng Leaders

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Ringo Tsang

Engineering Manager at

Balancing Work and Parenthood: Strategies for Engineering Leaders

This text provides tips and strategies for engineering leaders on how to balance the demands of work and parenthood. It emphasizes the importance of managing team expectations, delegating responsibilities, fostering career growth, and effectively managing time zones. The text concludes that with careful planning, effective communication, and a supportive team, it is possible to successfully navigate the challenges of parenthood while excelling in an engineering leadership role.

Plato

Sherman Poon

CIO /Partner at Blockchain, Media, AI and Medical Services Startup

Software Developer for 18 Years: What’s Next?

After 18 years in software development, professionals may find themselves at a crossroads, particularly in high-cost cities in the East. While staying in a technical role for a lifetime is seen as honorable in the West, economic pressures and societal expectations in the East can make it challenging to maintain a comfortable lifestyle as a developer. The escalating costs of living and competitive job market push many developers to advance beyond the technical track into roles like project management or team leadership. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of the tech industry and the influx of younger talent with new skills can make it difficult for senior developers to stay competitive. As a result, exploring new avenues such as technical leadership, specialization, management, entrepreneurship, or consulting and mentorship becomes crucial for maintaining financial stability and career satisfaction. The key is to recognize the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the cultural and economic context and align one's next steps with personal aspirations and market realities.

Plato

Daniel Woolfson

Senior Engineering Manager at The Engineer Experience

Creating Realistic and Achievable Career Development Plans

In this article, the importance of collaboration, balancing realistic expectations, and the role of leadership in creating realistic and achievable career development plans for engineers is discussed. It emphasizes the need for engineers to have clear career goals and how involving team members in the process can ensure that the plans are realistic and achievable. It also highlights the importance of setting realistic timelines and providing guidance and support from leaders. By addressing concerns and building trust, engineers can create concrete plans for achieving their career goals and set themselves up for success in their career development journey.

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Limor Bergman Gross

Executive Coach at LBG Consulting Service Ltd

Navigating the Challenges of Transitioning to an Engineering Manager Role

Transitioning to an engineering manager role comes with its own set of challenges, but by being strategic, building relationships, and advocating for oneself, success can be achieved. It is important to proactively plan one's career and advocate for personal growth and development. Building relationships with key stakeholders and finding allies within the organization can greatly help in advocating for oneself and influencing change. Understanding the motivations of others and aligning interests can also aid in gaining support for ideas. If promotion opportunities are limited, focusing on expanding responsibilities and taking on more challenging tasks can showcase potential for future growth. Seeking out mentors within the organization can provide guidance and support throughout the career transition process. Overall, being proactive, building relationships, and advocating for oneself are key to navigating the challenges of transitioning to an engineering manager role.

Plato

Hakim Hanif

Sr Software Engineer at Amazon Web Services

Top 7 software bloggers to follow

This blog highlights the top 7 bloggers in the field of software engineering and product development. These bloggers provide valuable insights and ideas on software design, processes, and methodologies. The list includes Martin Fowler, known for his expertise in software patterns; Kent Beck, the creator of Extreme Programming and Test Driven Development; Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator and an expert on startups and entrepreneurship; Jeff Atwood, co-founder of Stack Overflow; Andy Hunt, founder of the Pragmatic Programmer series; Joel Spolsky, a blogger who offers both sensible and surprising perspectives; and Steve Yegge, known for his entertaining content. Following these bloggers can help software engineers improve their skills and gain knowledge from the best in the field.

Plato

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