Ask HN: How to be a manager? Any good sources for learning how to delegate?

I really like this 2x2 [0] image [1] as a mental model. I haven't really read much of the writing around this, so no explicit endorsement beyond the conceptual grid.

Directing / Coaching / Supporting / Delegating

I've found these to be good ways to frame tasks (even if only in my own mind) when assigning to others. It forces you to acknowledge how much support you expect the person to need, which you can then match to what really happens, and then adjust. The quadrant that applies will change by person and task.

[0] https://johnkwhitehead.ca/situational-leadership

[1] https://johnkwhitehead.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/situati...

Well there's a tonne of great books and articles posted here.

There's some simple stuff that seems worth pointing out:

1. You need to do it more often. Education 10%, Exposure 20% and Experience 70% as a rule of thumb for learning.

If you want to be better at managing, then practice managing more. You're not losing time for solo dev work, you are gaining a new skill.

2. Get a close mentor you can shadow for that 20% exposure time.

3. For delegation, practice using CPORT.C – Context. P – Purpose. O – Outcome in terms of quality and quantity. R – Resources. Then get fast at it by creating systems that do it for you. Queues are your friend.

Have fun.

One possibility is while you are still the boss one of the team could become a lead and handle standups, prioritising day to day stuff etc. You role would be people managing still but they are taking on some of the project managing.

I think if you are in charge of people then that is you main job. Coding fits in around it. Some weeks you won’t code.

Have you ever played a real time strategy game? Select the peon and right click ;)

For real though, there's stuff that needs to get done, it's your job to tell the guy to do the job. Ez

Well thats what ics and workers generally speaking are told - that they work for managers. A rather uniquely flawed concept.