In today’s episode, Asim sits down with Ron Lichty to discuss the rude awakening of engineering management. Ron is a software engineering leader and product development consultant with a passion for making software developers and leaders thrive. They break down ways managers and aspiring managers can make engineering leadership predictable and reliable.
[00:38] Introduction
[02:07] Ron’s Back and Forth Movement from Engineering to Management
[07:03] Misconceptions About Engineering Management
[10:28] How to Feel Accomplished as a Manager
[11:32] Why Conflict is a Necessary Part of Management
[13:00] Good Managers are Not the Smartest People in the Room
[17:45] Learning How to Delegate
[20:46] How to Overcome the Fear of Delegation
[22:03] Recruiting and Why It’s the Most Important Role of a Manager
[26:15] The Role of Mentors in Becoming a Better Manager
[29:50] Parting Thoughts
How to Succeed as a Software Engineering Manager
Like in most industries, engineering managers are often promoted because they are good at software development. However, being a great manager is not the same as being a great engineer. The latter requires a drastic change of focus and a completely different way of doing things. So, if you would like to become a leader in engineering, there is a set of expectations to consider before making that leap into the deep end. The best management practice you can learn is to put together a team of people who can work together toward a shared vision. This means not necessarily being the smartest person in the room and learning how to delegate.
Links and Resources:
Managing the Unmanageable: Rules, Tools, and Insights for Managing Software People and Teams by Mickey Mantle and Ron Lichty