A collection of resources that I often share with new and experienced engineering managers.
For first-timers or those considering management
- The Engineer/Manager Pendulum is one of the very first articles I always recommend to anyone who tells me they are considering management, but is still on the fence about making the switch. It’s a quick read that essentially says: You can always try out management for a few years and switch back to being an IC if you find you don’t like it. In fact, in many cases this is a good career move!
- Things I’ve learned transitioning from engineer to engineering manager
- What you give up when moving into engineering management
- A Checklist For First-Time Engineering Managers
- 101 Questions to Ask in One-on-Ones
For experienced managers looking to level up
- Advice for Engineering Managers Who Want to Climb the Ladder
- High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove
- An Elegant Puzzle by Will Larson
- Irrational Exuberance
- The Managing Managers Podcast by Pat Kua
For any level of experience
- The Manager’s Path by Camille Fournier is often the go-to book that many people recommend to new engineering managers, and for good reason. It’s one of the few books that describes the entire management track from tech lead all the way to CTO and VP of Engineering.
- Resilient Management by Lara Hogan
- The Effective Manager by Mark Horstman
- Become an Effective Software Engineering Manager by James Stanier
- Managing Humans by Michael Lopp
- The Engineering Manager
- Manager Tools Podcast
- Rands Leadership Slack