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Tag: leadership development

Losing a Top Performer

Over time, I had to manage and help to manage many times when a top performer quits. It sucks but we need to be reasonable. Imagine you’re on a winning streak, your top striker, like El Fenomeno, is scoring crazy, winning you matches. End of the season, they’re out. Well, that’s literally what Bobby Robson had to deal with the departure of El Fenomeno. You hired that…

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Ideal Number of Direct Reports

Amazon’s decision to cut 15% of its managers likely comes from a closer look at ratios. Were there too many managers with only 2-3 direct reports? That’s entirely possible. From my time at AWS, I didn’t see this much in engineering, so I doubt those teams will feel it as hard. But other departments with too many managers overseeing too few people were probably more bloated. It’s…

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From Engineer to Manager

I often get asked whether someone should transition into management. In the past, this might have been the only viable growth path. However, in most large organizations today, this is no longer true, as you can be a leader without managing people. It really comes down to a fundamental question: do you genuinely want to, and would you enjoy it? Additionally, there are a few pros and…

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Interviewing Your Future Boss

I’m sure you have been asked if you have any questions during interviews. A few things come to mind. Often, we think we need to impress the other party. Nevertheless, tough questions are the ones you want to ask, especially to your future boss. We all know that switching teams or starting a new job is a significant decision. You need to understand your future manager’s leadership…

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The Making of a Leader

Leadership, in my eyes, has always been a blend of natural inclination and learned skills. Reflecting on my own path to becoming a leader, I’ve realized it’s not just about innate abilities or formal training. It’s a journey deeply rooted in personal experiences, observations, and the willingness to grow. Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is…

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