On Managing Technical Teams as a First-Time Manager: CTO, Engineering, Management | Y Combinator

Videoycombinator.comNovember 17, 2020

AI Summary

New managers must prioritize building strong relationships and effective communication within their teams to overcome the negative perceptions of management in startups. Camille Fournier emphasizes the importance of the first 90 days for new managers, advocating for regular one-on-one meetings to foster trust and transparency. For instance, she highlights common rookie mistakes, such as failing to engage their teams effectively, which can lead to disengagement and poor performance. Key points from the content: - Introductory remarks by Camille Fournier, former CTO of Rent The Runway. - Many individual contributors never experience good management due to pervasive negative management ideologies. - New managers should focus on establishing rapport and understanding their team's dynamics in the first 90 days. - Tips for improving one-on-one meetings to enhance communication. - Common rookie mistakes managers make, such as lack of engagement and poor delegation. - Addressing challenges of remote work and maintaining team cohesion. - Strategies for balancing coding responsibilities with management duties. - Importance of recognizing team members’ contributions and successes. - Discussion on the role of non-engineers in managing engineering teams. - Maintaining technical credibility as a manager while transitioning into leadership. - Distinction between management and leadership roles.

Why It Matters for Leaders

This resource is crucial for Engineering Leaders as it addresses common challenges faced by first-time managers, such as building effective one-on-one relationships and fostering team cohesion. An actionable takeaway is to focus on the first 90 days of management to establish a solid foundation for leadership and team dynamics.

Category

Engineering Management

Target Audience

Engineering ManagerDirector of EngineeringCTO / VP Engineering

Tags

New Manager1:1 MeetingsTrustRemote WorkDelegationEngineering Management
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