The management books I keep recommending
Eighteen books, six situations. No rankings. Just the shelf I'd hand you the week you need it.
· 2 min read
Essays
On Engineering Leadership, Organizational Structure, and Code
Notes on engineering leadership, technical growth, organizational structure, code, and everything in between.
Seven bets I'd make about engineering in 2026
Three observations underneath, and seven bets I'd make about engineering in 2026. A planning premise, not a forecast. It's the working hypothesis I use when I sit down with leaders to figure out what to do next.
· 13 min read
Making Software in 2026
As AI and LLM tools transform software development, teams that integrate these technologies will move faster than their competition. This post explores how the decreasing complexity of writing code shifts focus to critical areas like thoughtful design, user research, CI/CD infrastructure, code reviews, and strategic team composition. Learn how to prepare your engineering organization for the accelerated pace of 2026 and beyond.
· 7 min read
Good Engineering Leadership Habits
In this blogpost we delve into the essential daily practices that distinguish effective engineering leaders from merely busy managers. This post navigates through challenging leadership transitions, offering insights into difficult conversations, systematic problem-solving, and staying technical in an AI-driven world. From "fish on the table" discussions to prioritizing hard tasks first, it shares valuable lessons on building authentic relationships and creating compounding effects that transform both leaders and their teams.
· 20 min read
Good Software Engineers.
This post outlines six essential traits of exceptional software engineers consistent delivery, influential collaboration, upward management, pragmatic decision-making, complexity reduction, and growth mindset. Moving beyond technical skills, these characteristics form the foundation of engineering excellence and can be developed through conscious practice.
· 5 min read
Working with Me.
In my journey into management, I've found that self-awareness and clear communication are key. Tools like the 'Working with Me' document really help set expectations and make collaboration smoother without micromanaging. Regular check-ins, open feedback, and balancing data-driven insights with gut feelings support both personal and team growth. This post also includes my own 'Working with Me' document as an example, but also to give you a better idea of how I operate.
· 10 min read
Six things you should know about Managing
In this blog post, I share six key lessons I've learned from my journey into management. You'll discover the challenges of transitioning from hands-on work to leading a team, the importance of avoiding micromanagement, and how to prioritize team outcomes.
· 8 min read
Building Teams in Tumultuous Times - Lessons learned after multiple layoffs
In this blogpost we delve into the challenges and resilience required in leadership during the tech industry's fluctuating landscape. This post navigates through personal layoffs experiences, offering insights into maintaining team spirit, navigating change, and learning from adversity. From Costa Rica to Berlin, it shares valuable lessons on empathy, resilience, and the continuous journey of growth amidst uncertainty.
· 17 min read
Your best work
Navigating the complex intersection of effort and result, it becomes evident that focusing on the most impactful activities for you and your team is essential.This process-centric mindset resonates deeply within the realm of software development, where creativity, innovation, and focused collaboration intertwine to weave the fabric of groundbreaking products and solutions.
· 19 min read
I know nothing
Techniques for leveraging Impostor Syndrome to enhance your role as a manager while emphasizing the significance of embracing discomfort, fostering self-awareness, and cultivating a culture of continuous learning.
· 16 min read
Good Engineering Manager / Bad Engineering Manager
This blog post delves into the defining traits that set Good Engineering Managers apart from their less effective counterparts. It explores key responsibilities such as technical debt management, resource allocation, and fostering a culture of openness, while also shedding light on the pitfalls that Bad Engineering Managers often fall into, including neglecting long-term technical health and creating a culture of fear and silence.
· 8 min read
Reshaping culture - Prioritizing transparency and open communication in an engineering organization
In building a strong engineering culture, transparency and open communication are key. Through practical measures like regular meetings, blameless postmortems, and open sharing of information, a harmonious and innovative workspace is not just an aspiration but a tangible reality.
· 11 min read