🔗 Engineering leaders day-to-day activities

What do engineering managers really do every day? In his insightful article, James Samuel unveils the often invisible activities that define a manager's role. He breaks down the common misconceptions about management, revealing that much of a manager's work, unlike individual contributors, does not manifest through deliverables. Instead, it lies hidden in countless conversations, decisions, and the constant need for context switching. Samuel outlines a six-step cycle every manager navigates: gathering information, sharing it, making decisions, influencing outcomes, leading execution, and planning. Each stage is crucial for effective leadership, stressing the importance of information gathering and decision-making. Samuel emphasizes that successful managers not only lead but also model behavior, actively engaging in their teams’ challenges. By understanding these dynamics, aspiring managers can better prepare for the complexities of leadership.