Traits for EMs

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many managers, and mentored a few. I was fortunate enough to learn from some great bosses. When I think about it, I feel like there’s no one right way to be a good manager. I realize every manager brings their own personality, strengths, and struggles to the role. The best […]

Simple Acts of Recognition Matter

I once worked with a brilliant software engineer who quietly solved a major system issue in the middle of the night. By morning, no one even noticed there had been a crisis. Business as usual. Everything ran smoothly. When I found out, I realized just how easy it is for crucial contributions to slip by without anyone pausing to say, […]

The Question I Ask Every New Report

When I take on a new management role, whether it’s through a reorganization, succession, or stepping into a new organization, I make it a priority to ask this question in my first 1:1 with each direct report: This question may seem out of ordinary. I know. Maybe even a little intimidating especially during a first meeting. But I’ve found it […]

The Reality of an Employer’s Market

Lately, Iʼve seen a lot of posts about what employers should do or how they should treat candidates, what benefits they should offer, and how they should run their interviews. I understand where that sentiment comes from. I relate to it too; I’ve been ghosted by recruiters and left without feedback after long interview rounds in the past. These experiences […]

Bridging Ideals and Reality

Have you ever been in an engineering discussion where someone starts pointing out all the ideals and how much the company sucks? Complaining about all the mistakes the company makes, how things are broken, and how they should be improved? Well, I have been there on many levels. Those are the moments when you truly understand the pain points, and […]