Struggles as new Engineering Manager
I found 5 biggest struggles when transitioning to Engineering Manager role.
These are my 5 biggest struggles when transitioning to engineering manager:
What's my role?
Too many meetings
Too much to deal with
Work with direct reports
How can I bring value to my team?
If this sounds familiar with you, here's what I learnt:
1. Outcomes and retention. Your job is to deliver results for your team and the company, and to retain your top talent.
2. Delegate / reject meetings. Delegate tasks to your team members and reject meetings that are not essential. This will free up your time so that you can focus on the most important things.
3. Focus on high-leverage tasks. What are the tasks that will have the biggest impact on your team's success? Focus on those tasks and delegate the rest.
4. Clarify expectations, set boundaries. Make sure that your direct reports know what is expected of them and that they have the resources they need to succeed. Also, set boundaries to protect your own time and energy.
5. Unblock, align, and develop your team. Your team needs you to unblock them when they are stuck, to align them on common goals, and to help them develop their skills.
Conclusion
As a new engineering manager, it is normal to face some challenges. However, by focusing on results and retention, delegating and rejecting meetings, focusing on high-leverage tasks, clarifying expectations and setting boundaries, unblocking, aligning, and developing your team, you can overcome these challenges and be successful in your new role.