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Can you provide specific examples of things that you found the most useful when you finally had a full-time/non-coding manager? Having somewhat recently transit

Can you provide specific examples of things that you found the most useful when you finally had a full-time/non-coding manager? Having somewhat recently transitioned into an engineering management role, I'm curious if there's anything (or situation) in particular you'd highlight.

mwfunk 8y ago
This is all in the context of large tech companies, so YMMV. Things like, going to high level meetings so engineers don't have to, and making an effort to keep engineers from getting sucked in to too many meetings period (at least, ones where their presence isn't critical). Helping with bug management and task prioritization, minimizing engineers' multitasking to maximize productivity, and guiding the team towards long term goals. Engineers tend to be super focused on their immediate and short term tasks- what they're supposed to be doing right now. That can make it hard for a team to collectively maintain trajectories towards long term goals over the course of months and years. IMO a good manager will be the ultimate maintainer of the long term goals, and can helpfully keep everyone on track as they individually focus on shorter term stuff. Also, enabling their engineers' professional development. Many engineers really thrive when they're tasked with something that involves learning and using some technology that they don't know, but are curious and excited about. As much as possible, if it aligns with team goals of course, it's great if people get a steady trickle of these kinds of tasks. Only if they'd want them, of course. It feeds their curiosity and creativity, and helps the whole team keep their technical edge. But these things are unlikely to happen unless the manager picks up on the interest and potential, and explicitly tasks someone to do it. Finally, it might sound silly, but making a point to do pleasant team building stuff like bringing in bagels or donuts for everyone once in a while, or having the occasional team lunch at a cool restaurant (assuming there are cool places nearby). Also t-shirts. :) Quality t-shirts provide a surprising amount of bang for the buck in terms of goodwill, at least in large tech companies.
- wasted_intel 8y ago
  These are great; thanks for the insight!

mwfunk 8y ago

This is all in the context of large tech companies, so YMMV. Things like, going to high level meetings so engineers don't have to, and making an effort to keep engineers from getting sucked in to too many meetings period (at least, ones where their presence isn't critical). Helping with bug management and task prioritization, minimizing engineers' multitasking to maximize productivity, and guiding the team towards long term goals. Engineers tend to be super focused on their immediate and short term tasks- what they're supposed to be doing right now. That can make it hard for a team to collectively maintain trajectories towards long term goals over the course of months and years. IMO a good manager will be the ultimate maintainer of the long term goals, and can helpfully keep everyone on track as they individually focus on shorter term stuff. Also, enabling their engineers' professional development. Many engineers really thrive when they're tasked with something that involves learning and using some technology that they don't know, but are curious and excited about. As much as possible, if it aligns with team goals of course, it's great if people get a steady trickle of these kinds of tasks. Only if they'd want them, of course. It feeds their curiosity and creativity, and helps the whole team keep their technical edge. But these things are unlikely to happen unless the manager picks up on the interest and potential, and explicitly tasks someone to do it. Finally, it might sound silly, but making a point to do pleasant team building stuff like bringing in bagels or donuts for everyone once in a while, or having the occasional team lunch at a cool restaurant (assuming there are cool places nearby). Also t-shirts. :) Quality t-shirts provide a surprising amount of bang for the buck in terms of goodwill, at least in large tech companies.

wasted_intel 8y ago
These are great; thanks for the insight!