What keeps new engineering managers stuck without realising it?

1. Solving problems for the team
2. Holding onto old metrics
3. Staying in the detail
4. Avoiding the people stuff

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

(1/2) Working in a team can be challenging, and leading a team is often even more difficult. As a leader, you find yourself both part of the team and outside of it at the same time.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Building Your Leadership Support Portfolio Earlier this week I spoke about having a ‘Support Portfolio’ for your leadership development.

Earlier this week I was speaking about the idea of having a support portfolio. But I find that many leaders over-rely on what's readily available rather than what they might actually need. Read more in my article

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #NewManager

Are You Helping Them, Or Helping Yourself? Stepping back from technical work is hard.

When you step in to help your team, who are you really helping?

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Can You Facilitate Team Decisions? You are in the middle of a team discussion and the room falls silent.

Final newsletter of 2024: Can you actually facilitate team decisions, or are you just performing consensus theatre?

If every 'team decision' matches what you wanted despite all your Miro boards and post-its... your team has noticed.

Thanks for joining me this year.
#EngineeringManagers #NewManager

I've been working with new engineering managers for a while now. And there's one question that comes up again and again. "I got promoted... so why does it feel like I'm failing?"

(Thread) 🧵👇
#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Leadership is hard - navigating team dynamics, resolving conflicts, balancing different personalities, and juggling competing expectations takes real skill.
Transitions are harder - stepping into a new role, changing companies, moving countries, navigating major life changes.
#EngineeringManagers

Just became an engineering manager?
Start strong by learning the mindset, systems, and habits that build trust and clarity fast
🚀 read “From Engineer to Manager Part 1” on Substack #engineeringmanagers

My workshops don't just share information. They create space for teams and their leaders to see what they couldn't see before.

(A Thread🧵 👇)

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

As a new engineering manager, are you waiting for the perfect moment to begin leading?
#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Speaking Human When did you last have a conversation that left you feeling completely out of your depth?

Happy Friday! In this week's newsletter I explore why new engineering managers suddenly feel out of their depth in human conversations - and the irony of treating human skills as secondary when we're all human beings.
meenavenkataraman.substack.com/p/speaking-h... #EngineeringManagers #Leadership

Performance fluctuations in your team are not always indicative of your failure as a leader.

However, I want to clarify that I'm not talking about erratic performance, where your team delivers work unpredictably. That is a genuine issue that requires your attention.

#EngineeringManagers

What's hardest about managing team energy post-holidays?

Rebuilding team momentum
Managing mixed energy
Reengagement struggles
Post-break blues

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Working in a team can be challenging, and leading a team is often even more difficult. As a leader, you find yourself both part of the team and outside of it at the same time.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Have you read 'What Got You Here Won't Get You There' by Marshall Goldsmith? I really enjoyed reading this book many years ago and it articulates a concept I often discuss.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

The Team Debt You Create by Solving Everything We're all familiar with the term "technical debt." Ward Cunningham, who coined the phrase in 1992, explained it beautifully - "Shipping first time code is like going into debt.

In this week's edition of my newsletter, I explore how every problem you solve for your team becomes a missed opportunity to build their capacity and why stepping back (even just a little) might be the most generous thing you can do as a leader.
#EngineeringManagers #TeamDynamics #TechLeadership

The Unspoken Conversations That Shape Your Team I used to be part of a cross cultural team (5 distinct ones at least).

Happy Friday! In this week's edition of my newsletter I talk about the invisible conversations happening in every team interaction. (From cultural metaphors that fall flat to the unconscious patterns of eye contact, body language, and energy)
#EngineeringManagers #TechLeadership

Why does advice that works brilliantly for one engineering manager completely fall flat for another?

Because leadership isn't a universal formula.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

✨ Imagine walking into a meeting with your engineering team without that knot in your stomach - the one that whispers, "They'll discover you're not qualified to lead them."

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Hello, I'm Meena! I work with new engineering managers in tech to help them get comfortable with leading so that they succeed in their new role.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Taking on a new team as an engineering manager can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. Success isn't just about your growth - it's about how your whole team thrives.
#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

When Your Words Carry Different Weight Yesterday, you rolled your eyes at the mandatory company training session, and your teammates chuckled.

Happy Friday! In this week's edition of my newsletter I talk about the invisible shift that happens when you become an engineering manager - how your words suddenly carry a weight you never signed up for. #EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership

I love this particular Adam Grant quote on leadership.Leadership is fundamentally an inside-out journey that begins with self-understanding.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager
#Teams

Happy Friday!
In this week's edition of my newsletter, we talk about the seemingly helpful habit that's actually holding new engineering managers back from real leadership growth.
meenavenkataraman.substack.com/p/the-yes-trap

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership

Nobody’s Perfect Allowing ourselves the space to make mistakes and try again

I enjoyed reading this brilliant piece by Nedra Glover Tawwab about perfectionism. I could see myself in her examples, especially what she says about writing.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager
#LeadershipTips

Working in a team can be challenging, and leading a team is often even more difficult. As a leader, you find yourself both part of the team and outside of it at the same time.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

This week, we are going to be talking about sustainable leadership.
Having a lot to do and not enough time? One thing that’s helped me is the Pomodoro Technique.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager
#TimeManagement

"Learn to read symptoms not only as problems to be overcome but as messages to be heeded." - Gabor Maté

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager

Delegation and the grief we don't talk about Delegation comes up a lot in the work I do and the conversations I have.

In today's edition of the newsletter, I talk about why delegation can be hard for new Engineering Managers. Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

#EngineeringManagers #EngineeringManagerCoach #TechLeadership #EngineeringLeadership #NewManager
#Delegation

People think that because they use coaching skills with their team, they don't need coaching themselves as a leader.
They think that asking powerful questions and listening actively to develop others means they've got their own leadership development sorted.
#EngineeringManagers #TechLeadership