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Ask HN: How to speak like a leader, not like an engineer?

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Re: Ask HN: How to speak like a leader, not like an engineer?

#21

Post by wjossey »

andyidsinga wrote: post #10

Here's my strategy whenever I have 1:1's or hallway "walking conversations" with execs/GMs that are at least 2 levels above me: 1) try to teach them something new or interesting that has been learned that they can add to their box of tricks/intel that they can pull out later in other conversations. Include people/orgs that are involved. Include observed successes/failures. The goal is that when they leave the convers…

All good thoughts on managing up for sure, which is definitely a component of becoming a good leader. How you’re able to influence those “above” you can drastically impact your team and their effectiveness. This is one of those traits that sometimes your team doesn’t know you have, but gives them direct and tangible benefit almost “magically”.

Re: Ask HN: How to speak like a leader, not like an engineer?

#22

Post by jmchuster »

ams6110 wrote: post #16

Learn to use words like synergy, leverage, no-brainer, disrupt, and incentivize. Use phrases like deep dive, core competencies, outside the box, and move the needle. Presto, you're talking like a leader.

Tongue-in-cheek, but i'll rephrase it a bit to be maybe slightly useful. Look at the words above, and notice what they're not. So, imagine you're not allowed to talk using words that talk about the implementation, but only from a high level using words like those above. Given these constraints, how do you provide more value to your team and to the company than someone who implements?

Re: Ask HN: How to speak like a leader, not like an engineer?

#24

Post by byoung2 »

sethhochberg wrote: post #11
byoung2 wrote: post #4

An engineer focuses on the what, where, and how...a leader focuses on the who and why. For example you are considering adding a feature to your app. As an engineer you think of what you need to build how to implement it, where to store the data or put the logic. A manager focuses on why you should or shouldn't build it, who on the team does what part, how much it costs, etc. Imagine the transition from line cook to e…

One of my favorite ways to sum this up is thinking tactically (who and why) vs operationally (what and how). The third layer on top of all of this is strategic thinking (in theory, what your executive team is providing... even higher level and longer term abstract goals). Your executive team thinks strategically about what the goal is, your engineering management thinks tactically about the people and tasks needed to…

That's a great way to visualize it. One of the hardest parts about my transition from engineer to director of engineering was planning ahead for headcount without knowing what upper management had in mind 12 months down the line (they didn't know either).

Re: Ask HN: How to speak like a leader, not like an engineer?

#27

Post by gesman »

Engineer doesn't mean "NOT a leader".

Besides your boss keeps you in engineering class position and criticizing the way you talk without conveying his thoughts clearly or specific ways for you to talk.

I'd question his leadership skills. It maybe that you don't need to change much after all.

Re: Ask HN: How to speak like a leader, not like an engineer?

#30

Post by 8vhyTvoWGpE »

Here's a good article from the Harvard Business Review: "To Sound Like a Leader, Think About What You Say, and How and When You Say It." Recommended for anyone in or aspiring to be in a leadership role https://hbr.org/2017/10/to-sound-like-a-leader-think-about-w...
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