The Engineering Leadership & Wellbeing Newsletter 🌱 #17
“HAY” there 👋🏼
Welcome to the second half of the year! 🚤 🏖️
If it feels like 2024 is flying by too quickly, well, it is. But don’t fret, there’s still plenty of time to get things done, and reach your engineering leadership goals.
Let’s dive right into newsletter #17
Topics for the day: Career tracks, Software lessons, Standups, Management metrics, Dev workflow tips, Good vibes leadership.
Want to Build Better Software?
You're in the right place! In this article, we'll dive into essential software development best practices. These practices are tried-and-true guidelines that can boost the quality, efficiency, and security of your code. By adopting these best practices, you can sidestep common pitfalls and create software that's reliable, maintainable, and user-friendly.
Read more: Your Software Development Best Practices Checklist for 2024 ✅
Navigating Progress With Career Tracks
In James Stanier’s post, we learn the importance of career tracks and how they can guide growth, while also recognizing their limitations. He discusses the concept of a "global maxima" for individual career paths, which looks beyond immediate goals to long-term fulfillment and success.
Read more: Deltas to the Global Maxima: Better Career Conversations
35 Years of Learnings in Software Development
As the Director of Engineering at Greenlight Guru, Jim Grey is a seasoned veteran in the industry. He’s been leading and managing teams, delivering software, and improving the pace of delivery. Here are some of his key learnings, so be sure to read the entire post.
🧩 Keep It Simple: Avoid over-complicating solutions; simpler systems are easier to maintain.
🚀 Value Working Software: Frequent releases build company value; aim for the smallest viable increments.
🤝 Relationships Matter: Building connections across the company is crucial for career advancement and vision implementation.
👀 Visibility is Key: Ensure your work is seen by leadership to support career growth.
🌐 Network Outside: Maintain a professional network outside your current company for future opportunities.
Read more: Lessons learned in 35 years of making software
On Why Stand-up Meetings Are Important
This post by
really speaks to me. I found it to be the best explanation of why stand-up meetings are significant to jump-start your day. We're not just coding machines; we're people. That’s what our DX platform aims to achieve—to add that touch of humanity in building things using the tools we love.I especially loved this quote:
“‘These people & their needs are going to be important to me for the next 9 hours.’ Take a breath. Get to work.”
Key Metrics for Managing Software Teams
Certain metrics while managing software teams can act as anchors, helping you stay oriented amidst so much change. Check out Stay SaaSy’s post on key numbers every engineering manager should know.
Read more: Numbers To Know For Managing (Software Teams)
Essential Workflow Tips You Might Want to Share with Your Devs
From setting up your computer to technical but non-CS advice, this post can help your engineers get into the “flow.”
Read more: Developer workflow tips no one tells you about
A Leadership Framework for Results and Good Vibes
Subbu Allamaraju, VP of Engineering at Bill.com, has developed a leadership framework that resonates with our values at HAY. His approach emphasizes team wellbeing, positive workplace vibes, and achieving results. Here are some of his insightful words.
Read more: Leadership for Results and Peace of Mind
Did you like this edition of ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP & WELLBEING 🌱?
If you're looking for a specific subject to read about or maybe would like to collaborate on a project, reach out to me at tomek@howareyou.work.