Welcome to ManagersClub, where you can learn from the world’s most successful and diverse engineering leaders and managers, as well as find curated management resources to help and inspire you to be a great engineering leader.
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ManagersClub Podcast
In-depth conversations about engineering management with lessons and tips to make you a better leader and improve your career.
In this interview, we follow the journey of Swathi Sundar, an engineering manager at Benchling and ex-Uber, who, as a tech lead, was suddenly made an engineering manager overnight. Through her personal experiences, Swathi shares the challenges and lessons she learned during this transition period. From managing expectations and leading a team to deal with the pressure and responsibilities of the new software engineering manager role, this video offers valuable insights for anyone looking to move into a management position in the tech industry. Watch now to learn how she navigated this sudden change and emerged as a successful engineering leader.
Swathi also shares her strategies for effectively communicating with her team and stakeholders, as well as how she adapted to the new responsibilities and expectations that come with being an engineering manager. Swathi covers growing a new tech lead. Finally, she also provides tips on transitioning to a new company as an engineering manager. This video is a must-watch for anyone looking to transition smoothly from an engineering role to a management role in the tech industry. With Swathi’s personal experiences and practical advice, you’ll gain valuable insights on navigating this challenging but rewarding journey.
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:20 How Swathi became a manager overnight
- 1:02 How big was your team and what did you do?
- 2:50 What are some things that you quickly had to get up to speed with on management?
- 4:48 Growing a new tech lead 6:13 Difficulty letting go….
- 7:44 Resources that helped you become a manager
- ‘9:13 New relationship with direct reports
- 12:28 Changes during COVID pandemic
- 15:50 Performance management
- 16:39 Final lessons from Uber
- 18:17 Moving to a new company
- 21:03 Additional advice on transitioning to be a manager at a new company
- 22:23 Managing sideways and up
- 25:00 Do you miss coding?
- 26:10 Engineers, code engineering managers write.
- 29:55 Parting advice
RESOURCES
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/swathisundar/
- You’re in Charge — Now What?: The 8 Point Plan : https://amzn.to/3wsxTiG
- Swathi’s writings on medium: https://swathi-sundar.medium.com/
ABOUT ME: I’m Vidal, an author, podcaster, and engineering manager working at LinkedIn in the SF Bay Area. I am on a mission to help and inspire engineering leaders everywhere!
MY BOOKS
- ⭐️ The Software Engineering Manager Interview Guide https://amazon.com/dp/B086JMXP28
- ⭐️ Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HM6LSCL
- ⭐️ How to Write an Engineering Manager Resume, https://vidalgraupera.gumroad.com/l/esbgw
CONNECT WITH ME
- ⭐️ My website: https://www.managersclub.com
- ⭐️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalgraupera
- ⭐️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgraupera
- ⭐️ ManagersClub LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13846374/
- ⭐️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@managersclub
#engineeringmanagement #leadershipdevelopment #womenintech
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/managersclub/support
Engineering Management Lessons, Things You Need to Know, Dana Sherrell, VP Engineering
In this video, Dana Sherrell, VP of Engineering at Boulevard, shares some of her most important lessons about engineering management. This video is a must-watch if you’re thinking about becoming an engineering manager or are already in a leadership role. She covers many topics, including going from IC to a manager, transparency — constant communication with your team, setting clear expectations, building relationships, observing others, disagreeing and committing, and more.
Engineering Management Lessons, Things You Need to Know, Agata Grzybek Engineering Manager
In this video, Agata Grzybek, engineering manager at Netflix, shares some of her most important lessons about engineering management. This video is a must-watch if you’re thinking about becoming an engineering manager or are already in a leadership role. She covers many topics, including burnout, meditation, women in tech, coaching, productivity, non-violent communication (NVC), and more. She also shares her thoughts on engineering managers’ challenges and opportunities.
How to Plan Your Career for Engineering Leaders: Tips and Important Advice
Learn how to set yourself up for success in your engineering career with this advice from an industry expert! We cover what career planning is and what are the most important things to factor in. What are some ways that people can improve their clarity around career planning? How would you approach career planning specifically as an engineering manager or leader? Why do some people get stuck in middle management while others are on this fast track and zoom right up to VP level? Working with a mentor, or a sponsor in your career planning. And more!
9 Little-Known Lists Every Engineering Manager Needs to See In Order to Become a Better Leader
There’s a lot that goes into being a good engineering manager. From keeping your team on track to ensuring that projects are completed on time, and within budget, it’s a lot of work! But there are resources out there that can help. Many amazing resources (articles, conference talks, presentations, books, videos, podcasts, etc.) are collected in the following curated lists, many of which are not widely known. Every engineering manager, director, CTO, VP, etc., should check out these free resource collections. While these resources are aimed toward managers in tech, they are possibly helpful to any manager.
Don’t Know How to Improve Your Resume? This Free ebook has the Answers.
A strong engineering manager resume is one of the essential components in a successful job search. Having difficulties crafting or enhancing your resume or CV for a position as an engineering manager? Try this quick guide with helpful tips and things to remember to do!
Crucial Lessons on Managing Up: How To Work With Your Boss | Influence | Assertive Communication
What are some of the biggest challenges that people encounter in managing up? How should people speak to their manager? How to use influence. What is assertive communication? And how to ask for what you want. Plus important advice for those raised not to disagree with authority. You will leave with resources to develop the skill of managing up.
How to be an Introverted Leader. Tips for Women, First and Second Generation Managers
Introverted? Make this your superpower by learning how to be an introverted leader! I spoke to Wen Hsu, a coach who specializes in working with first- and second-generation female leaders. The benefits and drawbacks of being a first or second-generation immigrant are explored. We cover why imposter syndrome can be a good thing! We also talk about double standards for women in tech, how to keep women in the field, and how to help them succeed as engineering leaders.
Cracking the Engineering Manager Interview
Next week at DrivenCon, I’ll help you crack the Engineering Manager interview. I will live-stream a mock EM interview. Then I’ll explain why I asked certain questions and evaluate the answers. Sign up for a free ticket. https://drivencon.io/#schedule #interviewtips
Engineering Management Lessons — Learn to be a great Engineering Leader with Anand Safi
Learn to be a great engineering leader. This week I speak with Anand Safi, Director of Engineering at Mark43, Advisory Board Member, Mentor & Coach. We talk about what is important to look for in hiring, the importance of having a routine and themes for the day, strategy, ruthless prioritization, focussing on people’s strengths, and more.
Leadership Lessons — Madhu Vorha Director of Engineering
Learn to be a great engineering leader. This week I speak with Madhu Vohra Director of Engineering at VMWare. We talk about the ability to manage work, life, kids all of that, given that our lives and work have blended so well, the necessity of inclusive job descriptions in hiring, the importance of hiring, focusing on your strengths, relinquishing control, and more!
