Day 19: 3 Simple (But Effective) Pieces Of Advice I’d Give Anyone Starting As An Engineering Manager

I have been working in Tech Leadership for 10 years.

These are the 3 simple (but effective) pieces of advice I’d give anyone starting out (or who wants to get started):

Advice #1: You can’t do it alone

To this day, I am 100% sure that my growth is due to the people I’ve worked with.

I can think of countless conversations and scenarios that were key in my development. Some were really tough. However, growth is only achieved through different experiences.

I still find leads and managers who think they can do everything alone.

I don’t even think they enjoy the ride.

Embrace new experiences. Challenge yourself!

Advice #2: You’ll never know it all

You’ll be put into positions where people ask you questions. A lot of questions. I mean a lottt!

Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need to have an answer.

What you need is to be able to get an answer.

For that, you need to network. A lot!

Have a mental map of the best person to answer a specific type of question.

Advice #3: Reputation is everything

I can’t stress this enough to everyone willing to hear: Your reputation is everything.

And while you have a certain degree of control early in your career, like a snowball, it will move at its own will before you know it.

Ask for feedback, work on that feedback, and remember… No one is out there to screw with you.

Learn from experiences and if you make mistakes, accept them, and ensure you don’t repeat them.

Honestly, I wish someone had told me these 3 things earlier in my career.

But I’m at least glad I can pass them along to you.