Mistakes Every Engineering Manager Should Avoid (or not)

A Journey Through the Significant Mistakes I Made in my Career as an Engineering Manager.

In previous newsletter issues, we have extensively delved into how to transition into an engineering manager role, and we have also explored all the challenges related to this change. It goes without saying that, even though these guidelines are useful to inspire you and indicate a path through your journey, mistakes are inevitable and always around the corner.

For this reason, in today's essay, I have decided to focus on mistakes that I have personally made throughout my career, and sometimes I still make. Despite the catchy title, the purpose of this essay is not to provide you with a recipe to avoid these mistakes altogether, but rather to help you recognize them, mitigate them, and give them some weight.

Keep in mind that mistakes serve as valuable learning opportunities, so don't hesitate to make errors. Just admit them to yourself, think about what went wrong, and find ways to do better and not repeat them next time.

For your convenience, I have divided the mistakes into five main categories:

• 💬 Communication

• 🧠 Management

• 🔭 Vision

• 🛠️ Technology

• 🌱 Personal Growth

While all of these behaviors are equally wrong, I've assigned them a severity rank to illustrate where you should focus your attention and identify actions that could potentially put you at greater risk in your engineering manager position.

So, let's get started!

💬 Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful engineering management. However, it's easy to run into challenges that disrupt the smooth flow of information and understanding. Let's explore the major threats in this area.

1) Skipping One on Ones

One on One meetings might seem like a time-consuming ritual, but they are invaluable. They provide a private space for your team members to express their concerns, discuss blockers or issues, and share their aspirations. Skipping these meetings can not only lead to a disconnect between you and your team but also put your team member retention in danger.

🌟 SEVERITY: 5/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

💡 TODO:

1. Schedule and prioritize one on ones to ensure consistent communication.

2. Eventually frequency cadence, but don’t skip them.

3. Foster a safe space where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.

4. Avoid progress updates and focus more on people’s satisfaction or other meaningful conversations.

2) Poorly Communicating Your Actions

As an engineering manager, your actions have a significant impact on your team. However, especially when you transition from an Individual Contributor to an Engineering Manager role, your actions may not be visible to everyone.

A big part of a manager's job is about working with people, which happens in the background, like coaching individuals, building relationships, and collaborating with stakeholders. For this reason it's crucial to over-communicate what you're doing. If you don't, your team might feel like they don't know what's going on, and they might start wondering if you're leading them properly. I've been through this, and it doesn't feel good when someone on your team says they don't get what you're doing or if you're doing anything at all.

🌟 SEVERITY: 4/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Provide context for your actions to avoid confusion.

2. Schedule regular meetings to align with your team.

3. Share any achievement, also smaller ones

3) Lack of Transparency

Transparency builds trust. Without it, team members might start guessing why certain decisions are made, which can create uncertainty.

🌟 SEVERITY: 4/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Regularly share company goals and challenges with your team.

2. Provide insights into the decision-making process to build trust.

3. Encourage open dialogue to address any concerns about transparency.

4) Neglecting to Celebrate Success

When you're busy with deadlines and problem-solving, you might forget to celebrate wins. However, recognizing successes, whether they're major or minor, lifts the team's spirits and reminds everyone that effort leads to results.

🌟 SEVERITY: 3/5 🟡🟡🟡⚪️⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Recognize and acknowledge achievements, no matter how minor.

2. Use this brilliant way of celebrating by my friend Luca, called "appreciate in absence".

3. Use successes as an opportunity to highlight the team's impact on the company.

5) Not Building Relationships with Stakeholders

Managing a team doesn't happen in isolation. Building strong relationships with cross-functional teams, product managers, and other stakeholders is crucial. Failing to do so might result in misunderstandings, misaligned goals, and slow progress.

🌟 SEVERITY: 3/5 🟡🟡🟡⚪️⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Cultivate relationships with stakeholders to foster collaboration.

2. Understand their perspectives and incorporate their feedback.

3. Regularly engage with stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.

6) Avoiding Networking

Networking might sound like something reserved for business executives, but it holds value for engineering managers too. Networking allows you to learn from others' experiences, gather insights, and establish a support system that can be invaluable during challenging times.

🌟 SEVERITY: 2/5 🟢🟢⚪️⚪️⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Attend industry events and conferences to expand your network.

2. Engage in online communities and forums to stay connected.

3. Build relationships with peers who can provide guidance and different perspectives.

🧠 Management

The art of management is finding the delicate balance between providing guidance and fostering autonomy within your team. These are the main mistakes you should avoid.

1) Micromanaging Your Team

As a former individual contributor, the temptation to micromanage can be strong. However, constantly watching your team closely not only stops them from growing but also shows you don't trust them.

🌟 SEVERITY: 5/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

💡 TODO:

1. Delegate tasks based on your team's strengths and development goals.

2. Set clear expectations and provide the necessary resources for success.

3. Offer guidance and support while giving your team space to take ownership.

2) Not Delegating Effectively

Delegation isn't about passing on tasks you dislike. It's about giving the right tasks to the right people based on their strengths and growth goals. Effective delegation not only reduces your workload but also develops your team's skills.

🌟 SEVERITY: 4/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Identify team members' strengths and allocate tasks accordingly.

2. Clearly communicate goals and expectations for each delegated task.

3. Offer ongoing support and feedback to ensure successful task completion.

3) Not Addressing Issues

Avoiding conflicts and issues doesn't make them disappear; it exacerbates them. As a manager, it's your responsibility to address problems promptly. Ignoring issues can lead to resentment among team members and slow down the overall progress.

🌟 SEVERITY: 4/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Approach conflicts with empathy and active listening.

2. Address issues promptly and involve relevant parties in finding solutions.

3. Cultivate a culture of open communication to prevent issues from festering.

4) Avoiding Documentation

In the hustle of day-to-day management, documenting processes and decisions might feel like a low priority. However, proper documentation ensures continuity, reduces confusion, and also helps with onboarding new team members.

🌟 SEVERITY: 3/5 🟡🟡🟡⚪️⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Document processes, decisions, and key discussions regularly.

2. Provide accessible documentation to onboard new team members smoothly.

3. Encourage team members to contribute to documentation for shared knowledge.

🔭 Vision

Having a clear vision is like having a compass that guides your decisions and actions. Without it, you and your team might feel lost. Let's explore the mistakes you should pay attention to.

1) Missing the Overall Vision

It's easy to get lost in the details and lose sight of the big picture. As an engineering manager, you should be able to articulate the company's vision and how your team's work contributes to it. Without this understanding, your team might lack direction and struggle to see the purpose behind their tasks.

🌟 SEVERITY: 5/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

💡 TODO:

1. Regularly reinforce how your team's work contributes to the company's goals.

2. Share success stories that highlight the impact of your team's efforts.

3. Encourage team members to ask questions and seek clarity on the company's vision

2) Not Setting Clear Priorities

Without clear priorities, your team's efforts might scatter, leading to inefficiency. Setting and communicating clear priorities ensures that everyone is aligned and working toward the same goals. A lack of priorities can result in confusion, duplicated efforts, and missed opportunities.

🌟 SEVERITY: 4/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Clearly communicate the top priorities to your team.

2. Align your team's goals with the company's objectives.

3. Regularly review and adjust priorities based on evolving circumstances.

3) Not Adapting to Change

The tech industry is dynamic, and change is constant. Not adapting your strategies and plans to accommodate change can lead to missed opportunities and outdated practices.

🌟 SEVERITY: 3/5 🟡🟡🟡⚪️⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Embrace change as an opportunity for growth.

2. Encourage your team to stay curious and adaptable.

3. Continuously evaluate your strategies and be open to adjusting them.

🛠️ Technology

For engineering managers, technology expertise is just one aspect. People management and strategic thinking are equally vital. Let’s see what pitfalls you should avoid.

1) Focusing on Code Instead of People

The transition from an individual contributor to an engineering manager often comes with a shift in focus. While technical skills remain important, your primary focus should now be on supporting and developing your team, not coding.

🌟 SEVERITY: 5/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

💡 TODO:

1. Prioritize team development and mentorship.

2. Avoid taking ownership of important pieces of code.

3. Foster a culture that values both technical excellence and personal growth.

2) Not Keeping Up to Date with Technologies

Technology evolves rapidly, and staying updated is essential, even for engineering managers. This knowledge helps you make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to technical discussions. While you don't need to be an expert in every technology, having a broad understanding keeps you relevant and able to guide your team effectively.

🌟 SEVERITY: 4/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Dedicate time to continuous learning and tech updates.

2. Encourage your team to share insights about emerging technologies.

3. Attend tech conferences and workshops to stay abreast of industry trends.

3) Ignoring Technical Debt

In the pursuit of meeting deadlines, technical debt might accumulate. Ignoring it can lead to long-term challenges. Managing technical debt ensures your team's continued ability to deliver high-quality products.

🌟 SEVERITY: 3/5 🟡🟡🟡⚪️⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Regularly assess technical debt and prioritize addressing it.

2. Educate your team about the importance of managing technical debt.

3. Allocate resources to balance addressing debt with delivering new features.

🌱 Self Growth

As a manager, your growth doesn't stop. Continuous self-improvement is necessary for effective leadership. These are the things you should avoid.

1) Neglecting Work-Life Balance

The desire to excel in your managerial role might lead to neglecting your work-life balance. Remember that a burnout leader can't guide their team effectively.

🌟 SEVERITY: 5/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

💡 TODO:

1. Set clear boundaries for work and personal time.

2. Lead by example by maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

3. Encourage your team to prioritize self-care and well-being.

2) Not Recognizing Burnout

Burnout can affect both you and your team. Being vigilant about signs of burnout and addressing it promptly promotes a healthier work environment.

🌟 SEVERITY: 4/5 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Be attentive to your team's well-being and signs of burnout.

2. Foster a culture that encourages open discussions about stress and workload.

3. Offer resources and support to team members experiencing burnout.

3) Not Journaling

Keeping a journal might sound trivial, but it's a powerful tool for reflection. Journaling allows you to track your progress, analyze your decisions, and learn from your experiences.

🌟 SEVERITY: 3/5 🟡🟡🟡⚪️⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Regularly write about your experiences, decisions, and learnings.

2. Use your journal to track your progress and identify areas for improvement.

3. Set aside dedicated time for journaling to make it a consistent practice.

4) Not Having a Coach

Even experienced managers can benefit from coaching. A coach provides an external perspective, helps you set goals, and guides your development journey. Coaches offer insights that stem from their own experiences and can help you navigate challenges more effectively.

🌟 SEVERITY: 2/5 🟢🟢⚪️⚪️⚪️

💡 TODO:

1. Seek out mentors or coaches who align with your career goals.

2. Engage in regular coaching sessions to gain insights and guidance.

3. Be open to feedback and apply it to your professional journey.

🏁 Accepting Failure as a Learning Method

As we wrap up this journey through common engineering management mistakes, remember: pitfalls are not roadblocks, they're like guideposts on our journey to improvement. Welcoming failure as a chance to learn empowers us to use setbacks as stepping stones. Each challenge we overcome, each mistake we turn into a lesson, adds to the story of our leadership journey.

---

✌️ That’s all folks

That's all for today! As always, I would love to hear from my readers (and if you've made it this far, you're definitely one of the bravest). Please don't hesitate to connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter and send a message. I always respond to everyone!