Team & Project Management

Why Heads of Engineering Should Master Storytelling

Storytelling is an essential skill for engineering leaders as it helps them communicate ideas, align teams, and convey values in a memorable way. In the current digital transformation era and remote work environment, storytelling becomes even more important. It enables leaders to express how their organization will adapt and innovate, establish connections between teams and clients, foster trust, and alleviate anxiety. A good story needs to be intriguing, authentic, involve the team, have a specific goal, and recognize the team's higher purpose. Storytelling can be applied in team meetings, onboarding new members, and providing feedback. Overall, storytelling is a powerful tool for effective engineering leadership that inspires action and facilitates behavioral change.

Navigating Professional Growth: Insights for IT Leaders

The author discusses the importance of professional growth in the IT field and shares their thoughts on how to foster this growth within a team. They emphasize the need for clear expectations, the concept of "What I Get" in terms of knowledge gained, and the importance of mutual commitment and support. The author concludes by stating that knowledge is the most valuable asset and that by creating a supportive learning environment, both mentors and mentees can thrive. The author invites readers to share their insights on fostering growth within their own teams.

Get the most value out of your mentorship sessions

This text provides guidance for both mentees and mentors in a mentorship program. For mentees, it suggests defining goals and skills they want to improve before the first session, sharing their preferences for feedback and session structure, and giving feedback to their mentor. It also advises mentors to adapt their style to meet the mentee's expectations, prepare sessions with relevant resources and templates, and encourage the mentee to create an action plan with measurable indicators of success. The text emphasizes the importance of implementing the action plan and stepping back to align day-to-day challenges with long-term goals.

The 5 ways to Fail as Engineering Managers in Startups

The article discusses the common pitfalls that engineering managers face and provides insights on how to overcome them. The author emphasizes the importance of effective listening and asking leading questions, as well as the need to adapt management styles to different team members. The article also highlights the issue of low self-confidence among engineering managers and the negative impact it can have on their teams. Additionally, the author discusses the balance between focusing on business goals and prioritizing the well-being of team members. Finally, the article emphasizes the importance of delegation and provides guidelines for effective delegation as a manager.

Best Practices for Managing Diverse Talent in Engineering Teams

In today's engineering landscape, managing diverse talent in teams is crucial for achieving common goals. Embracing diversity brings a wealth of perspectives and skills to the table, fostering a culture of inclusion. Effective communication ensures everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, while building trust creates a supportive environment for sharing ideas. Leveraging individual strengths maximizes team performance, and encouraging collaboration fosters unity and shared purpose. By implementing these best practices, an inclusive and high-performing engineering team can be created.