How to Become a Great Engineering Manager - DevOps.com

Articledevops.comNovember 23, 2020

AI Summary

Great engineering managers embody trust, emotional intelligence, and the ability to motivate their teams while shielding them from interruptions. They advocate for change and collaborate effectively with departments outside of engineering, facilitating both technical literacy and problem-solving within their teams. For example, they push their team members toward ownership of their projects, fostering personal and professional growth. Breakdown of Key Concepts: - Attributes of a Good Engineering Manager: - Be trusting - Exhibit emotional intelligence and establish trust - Shield the team from interruptions - Manage team motivation - Maintain a strong work ethic aligned with company culture - Advocate for continuous positive change - Collaborate with non-engineering departments - Provide mentorship - Demonstrate technical literacy and problem-solving skills - Make tough decisions and manage conflicts - Ways to Become a Great Engineering Manager: - Embody the vision - Support the team in both the short and long term - Challenge the team to grow quickly - Embrace diversity - Enhance product and engineering partnerships - Understand personal strengths and educate others - Encourage team ownership - Recognize the system’s broader limitations

Why It Matters for Leaders

This article is essential for Engineering Leaders as it outlines the key attributes and actionable steps to becoming an effective engineering manager, addressing common leadership challenges such as team motivation and cross-department collaboration. A crucial takeaway is the importance of embodying the team's vision to inspire trust and drive positive change within the organization.

Category

Engineering Management

Target Audience

Engineering ManagerDirector of EngineeringCTO / VP Engineering

Tags

TrustMotivationMentoringConflict ResolutionCross-Functional CollaborationCareer Growth
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