Part 1 Start with the people
This part of the book sets the stage for your journey to learning, establishing, and becoming an effective software engineering manager, focusing on the people aspect. Beyond spreadsheets and boardroom decisions, the resonance of human connections is what echoes through the corridors of effective engineering management.
In chapter 1, you’ll learn about the basics of management, the key roles and responsibilities of an engineering manager (EM), leadership versus management, what differentiates excellent EMs from others, success metrics, and various leadership styles.
Chapter 2 teaches you the differences between an individual contributor (IC) and an EM, common misconceptions about moving from IC to EM, motivations for being an EM, a three-phase approach to IC-to-EM transition, and ways to help others transition into an EM role.
Chapter 3 covers the importance of managing people, teams, and yourself, discussing career conversations; conflict resolution; and the importance of goals, morale, and trust. It also discusses identifying opportunities and acknowledging mistakes to grow as an EM.
Chapter 4 talks about managing performance: best practices, performance reviews, and how to manage high performers and underperformers.