Newsletters

Rituals for hypergrowth: An inside look at how YouTube scaled

June 20, 2021

This issue highlights key insights on scaling strategies from YouTube, Docker's shift to remote work, tips to engage long-term employees, and the importance of decision tree analysis for effective decision-making.

What if you dread 1:1s with a direct report?

June 13, 2021

This week’s newsletter tackles the challenges of 1:1s, the role of Product Owners, effective software estimation, building teams in high-growth environments, and rethinking product development strategies to reduce risk.

Barrels and ammunition

June 06, 2021

This week’s newsletter highlights the importance of effective project kickoff strategies, the vital PM & EM partnership for success, challenges in software estimation, and optimizing bug fix policies to enhance team efficiency.

Maker to manager  —  How we support new leaders

May 30, 2021

In this issue, explore leadership transitions, the challenges of hiring, nurturing management skills, managing growing pains in expanding teams, and the benefits of trunk-only development. Get insights to navigate your team's evolution.

Positive feedback is different from praise

May 23, 2021

This issue explores key insights on positive feedback, effective calendar management, and the true essence of leadership roles. Plus, we dive into retrospective antipatterns and the fears CEOs have about remote work. Discover more.

The art of the tick tock doc

May 16, 2021

This issue explores the art of collaboration in tech, effective remote meetings, stakeholder management tactics, and the importance of feedback. Get insights on adapting to the evolving workplace landscape.

How setting arbitrary deadlines can hurt developers

May 09, 2021

In this issue, we delve into the impact of deadlines on developers, strategies for hiring engineering managers, the pitfalls of poorly articulated strategies, and the importance of psychological safety in teams. Plus, discover best practices for remote software engineering.

Treat your onboarding process like your build system

May 02, 2021

This issue covers essential insights for tech leaders: optimizing onboarding, effective feedback models, the challenges of shared services in agility, and strategies for building strong team foundations. Dive in for actionable advice.

What good leaders do when replacing bad leaders

April 25, 2021

In this issue, explore strategies for effective leadership transitions, the importance of career development as a manager, and the value of investing in undervalued talent. Plus, insights on overcoming organizational stagnation and the role of career ladders in tech.

A reading list for new engineering managers

April 18, 2021

This issue features insights for new engineering managers, lessons from Airbnb product teams, strategies for handling resignations gracefully, and a fresh perspective on prioritization. Plus, a free book on building large-scale mobile apps.

Becoming a manager in 2021

April 11, 2021

In this issue, we explore essential tips for new managers in 2021, navigating uncertainty in answers, effective onboarding strategies, interview question insights, and methods for sprint planning. Perfect for today's agile leaders.

If your boss could do your job, you’re more likely to be happy at work

April 04, 2021

In this issue, we explore the impact of effective leadership on job satisfaction, healthy goal-setting for teams, nurturing design in software culture, traits of a good technical manager, and the future of management post-Covid.

How to keep your job as CTO

March 28, 2021

In this issue, explore essential insights for CTOs, the intricacies of engineering org design, finance fundamentals for non-finance directors, and a handy checklist for new engineering managers. Unlock your potential.

Handling the Emotional Weight of 1:1s

March 21, 2021

This issue focuses on supporting your team through emotional challenges, enhancing promotion processes, optimizing time as a CTO, reducing excessive meetings, and leveraging the strength of mixed seniority engineering teams.

On technical debt

March 14, 2021

In this issue, we explore the nuances of technical debt, effective meeting strategies, talent retention, expectations for software developers, and the importance of values alignment in hiring. Discover insights for better team dynamics.

Measures of engineering impact

March 07, 2021

This week's issue delves into the true measures of engineering impact, the magic of a great developer experience, leading without authority, executive team dynamics during rapid growth, and tips for effective performance reviews.

Mistakes I've Made as an Engineering Manager

February 28, 2021

In this issue, explore valuable lessons from engineering management, the value of diverse skill sets, the importance of an engineering vision for scaling teams, decision-making principles, and strategies to cultivate a sense of accomplishment.

Remaining Technical as an Engineering Leader

February 21, 2021

In this issue, we explore leadership in tech with insights on technical involvement, hiring first leaders, and the importance of soft skills. We also discuss implementing levels in engineering and the ongoing costs of software maintenance.

The "Dirty" Secret of High Performing Product Teams

February 14, 2021

This week’s newsletter dives into effective product team strategies, tools for change agents, tackling employee attrition, and mastering the art of saying no to stakeholders. Elevate your leadership skills.

Improvement Sprints

February 07, 2021

Explore this issue featuring insights on SRE principles, enhancing CI quality through metrics, the importance of engineering productivity, and strategies for managing technical debt. Elevate your team's innovation and decision-making.