What is the format of the book? PDF? Epub? Mobi? Html?
Is it / will it be readable on a Kindle?
Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
181–190 of 245 posts
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#182Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, junior people frequently make the incorrect assumption that entering management is a promotion (partly because we have made the mistake of unthinkingly treating/rewarding it as such). They are often incentivized to seek management roles as part of a "this must be my career path" because of the associated salary. It is a different role, and not merely a coder who tells people what to do. It has a different skill…
To quote a discussion on HR from a while back (can't find the actual link in my history) - "My manager can fire me but I can't fire my manager". Manager is a promotion if only based on power dynamics.
Not to quibble, but it's a lot easier for most of us to "fire" our managers than it is for them to fire us. If your manager sucks, start interviewing.
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#183> If anyone's at all interested in learning about what it's like to pitch a publisher with their own book idea, then I guess I've been successful at that now, so I'm more than happy to give you any advice. Maybe this needs to be a new book? Seriously, all of this sounds wonderful - and thank you (but I would love to hear some tips on getting a book published from zero - I certainly write enough that I could probably…
I'd love to hear more about this as well.
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#184I'd love a blog about how to AVOID becoming a manager as an engineer or technical person. It really seems "contributors" are at the bottom of the pyramid, especially in companies whose core business is not technical in nature.
It's not particularly hard. Just never accept a leadership position :). As long as you keep your technical skills sharp, you should never be short of a job. However your income will likely plateau very early in your career. You can try to become famous as a way to counteract that, but it is substantially harder than just going into leadership.
> However your income will likely plateau very early in your career.
yes this is sad part. hoping AI will take over leadership and only AI engineers will be needed. /jk
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
The first thing is to step up and become the lead developer on your team. If you’re not being proactive folks won’t imagine it on their own. Clothes are another angle. If you look and act like a leader, soon you shall be one.
Well I am a woman, so there is that image problem automatically. You're right about the other bit, though. Even as the most knowledgeable and senior person on the team, I do have something of a habit of letting people who are loud derail me from my ideas (or simply talk over me), which can damage perceptions. It's a thing I try to fight every day, though.
I'm curious as to what region you work in. I ask because in Silicon Valley I've seen a ton of female EMs.
In fact, my first three jobs all involved reporting to women for a good chuck of it (and they all reported to women too). Those women were all fantastic managers too. Great mentors and great empathy.
Now that I think about it, they were all promoted to management via internal promotions given to them by female managers.
So maybe one tip for you is look for an IC role that reports to a woman who is interested in mentoring you into management?
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#186Does the book cover how to get the position in the first place? I've read countless books (Like "The Managers Path" and "Managing Humans"), blog articles, etc, and tried many strategies, but it never seems to happen. Usually for the catch-22 reason of not having managing experience. I've even had past managers they had no worries about me having the skills or knowledge to do it... but it still doesn't happen.
The tactic that worked for me was to bring it up to my boss. I set up a 1:1 with him, and said "In 2-3 years, I want your job. How can I get there?" (and "want your job" obviously means "to do what you do" not literally take their job) If you have a good manager, they'll set you up for success, working with you to create a roadmap to get from IC to Manager. The steps in between would probably entail taking on larger…
Just wanted to second this. As a manager, even for people I know fairly well, I'm routinely surprised by little bits I learn as to what they want, what they dislike, or what gets them upset. Do not assume your manager can read your mind or that things are self evident and universal. With people, most things arent. Not much different than any relationship.
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#187Earlier quoted context omitted.
The first thing is to step up and become the lead developer on your team. If you’re not being proactive folks won’t imagine it on their own. Clothes are another angle. If you look and act like a leader, soon you shall be one.
What if you're not a very good engineer, like me? But would make a good people manager?
that can be fine, you just need to find an organization that emphasizes the people management side of things and has other avenues for technical leadership. Typically a place like that is self aware about it and quite upfront (as a tech lead will really hate that kind of role, and they need to understand where the technical leadership comes from). I have a friend who is very much primarily a people manager and loves it.
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#188If anyone is considering moving into engineering management, you'd do well to look not just at the how but the why . If it's for status/salary rather than the change in nature of the work be very careful about making the move. You need to really want to manage and develop people (with all the idiosyncracies that real human beings come with!), and to communicate, co-ordinate, and delegate for a living. Some will love…
Who cares that much about the salary when you are that point in the Software Engineeering career track in SV anyway? What, really, is the difference between making $300K/yr and even fully doubling that to $600K? A nicer apartment, a nicer car, an earlier retirement? These are pretty marginal things if the cost is spending most of your time doing something you don't like. The most common reason somebody becomes an EM…
Very spot on observation. I'm currently on the 'I tolerate it' bucket but I'm actively trying to hire for my replacement so I can move back to being an IC again.
At first I really disliked it but the more time I spend doing it, the better I get at it, the more rewarding it becomes. I fear by the time I find someone to actually replace me, I won't want to go back to being an IC.
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#189Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are you under performing due to lack of competence, or lack of motivation?
probably a little of columns A and B. i guess we're all like that? (we as in underperforming devs)
Sorry, not a manager myself, so I can't help with motivation. But competence can always be gained by practicing. Try a project on your free time. Make an app with ads. The bit of extra passive income can be your carrot on a stick.
Re: Show HN: I wrote a book for engineers that want to become engineering managers
#190What is the format of the book? PDF? Epub? Mobi? Html? Is it / will it be readable on a Kindle?
Pragmatic Programmers beta and published books are available as all three - PDF, epub, and mobi (which reads fine on my Kindle).