Newsletters

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.

Make Boring Plans

January 31, 2021

This issue explores the importance of stability in tech choices, effective team building, measuring technical debt, delivering impactful feedback, and strategic roadmap crafting. Dive in for insights that can elevate your approach.

Expecting Developers to Leave

January 24, 2021

In this issue, we explore strategies to reduce developer turnover, the importance of honesty in leadership, fostering cohesive teams, the benefits of flexible work structures, and tackling software maintenance challenges.

From Software Engineer to CTO

January 17, 2021

In this issue, explore the journey from Software Engineer to CTO, lessons learned in leadership, insights on hiring great product managers, and the impact of new technologies on our work. Dive in for inspiration and growth.

Maximizing Developer Effectiveness

January 10, 2021

This week’s issue explores developer effectiveness through feedback loops, shares leadership lessons from a Product Design Manager, examines incident management strategies, discusses team responsibility patterns, and offers tips for presenting to executives.

Why Google Cloud Platform lost to AWS despite having better tech

January 03, 2021

In this issue, explore why Google Cloud faltered against AWS, learn timeless coaching lessons from Vince Lombardi, and discover engineering principles for success. Plus, insights from Facebook's CTO and tips for effective engineering management.

Tech Lead Management roles are a trap

December 27, 2020

In this issue, we explore the challenges of tech lead manager roles, reflect on organizational growth, discuss the legacy of Google’s 20% time policy, and highlight the importance of using OKRs for team success over individual goals.

What makes a good remote team?

December 20, 2020

This week, we explore the dynamics of remote teams, common leadership pitfalls, the challenges faced by promoted developers, the evolving role of CTOs, and the complexities of measuring developer productivity.

Dealing with Remote Team Challenges

December 13, 2020

This week’s newsletter dives into remote team dynamics, effective onboarding strategies, the use of OKRs in product management, and insights on impactful 1-on-1s. Discover how to enhance productivity and foster team connection.

How to measure and improve success in your engineering team

December 06, 2020

This week, explore how to enhance your engineering team's success, effectively scope new projects, foster meaningful connections, recognize performance review biases, and learn the art of saying no during a busy season.

Being Glue

November 29, 2020

This week, explore the importance of glue work in leadership, discover effective virtual onboarding strategies, rethink meetings, and learn why good engineering strategy is often seen as boring but is essential for success.

A primer on managing remotely

November 22, 2020

This week’s issue covers essential insights for remote engineering managers, effective frameworks, empowering teams, driving cultural change through software, and tips for renegotiating vendor contracts.

Engineering strategy

November 15, 2020

This week’s issue dives into engineering strategy, empathetic leadership in remote work, salary benchmarking, and the shift from project to product thinking, plus structuring teams for better software. Explore insights that drive growth.

Onboarding to a new team as an engineering leader

November 08, 2020

In this issue, explore insights on effective onboarding as an engineering leader, the power of systems thinking, mastering management with the Basic Boss Formula, learning through experience, and personal reflections on startup burnout.

1-on-1 Meetings: More Important than Ever

November 01, 2020

In this issue, we explore the importance of 1-on-1 meetings in fostering connections, share insights on transitioning to engineering management, and discuss handling grief in the workplace. Plus, we delve into managing technical quality and the realities of becoming an engineering manager.

Less status updates, more coaching

October 25, 2020

In this issue, we explore effective one-on-ones, tackle work-in-progress challenges, and highlight leadership opportunities beyond titles. Plus, insights on product prioritization and the essential role of an Engineering Manager.