Accidentally Manager

A Survival Guide for First-Time Engineering Managers

Chandler, Oct. 18th, 2014

Desert Code Camp 2014.2

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This presentation reflects only my personal opinions and is NOT

sponsored or else related to my current employer.

Just my own thoughts or the ones of referenced others.

Your feedback is important!

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Where to get the Slides

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Overview• You and me– My Professional Journey – How about you?

• Manager or Engineer?• Management Styles• Leader vs Manager• Things to deal with • Traps to avoid• Summary

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Why are we here?

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To talk about Me

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I always wanted to be an

Engineer

9http://i.ytimg.com/vi/q4DI-AILh8U/maxresdefault.jpg

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http://www.righthandsynergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Empleo-Vacante-Tijuana-Embedded-Software-Engineer.jpg

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Being the Architect

http://matrix.wikia.com/wiki/The_Architect?file=Architect.png

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Be th

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https://www.sunfrogshirts.com/Funny/Keep-Calm-Let-The-Software-Architect-Handle-It-vm81.html

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What am I today?

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How did I end up becoming a manager?

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Career Pathshttps://www.rajiv.com/blog/2011/06/11/product-engineering-career/

Theo Jungeblut• Engineering manager & lead by day

at AppDynamics in San Francisco

• Coder & software craftsman by night, first time dad and house builder

• Architects decoupled solutions & crafts maintainable code to last

• Worked in healthcare and factory automation, building mission critical applications, framework & platforms

• Degree in Software Engineeringand Network Communications

• Enjoys cycling, running and eating theo@designitright.net

www.designitright.net

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Okay, Okay it is really about

you!

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Survey Time

Manager Engineer Architect

Who is considering becoming a manager?

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How about staying an engineer?

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Who became “accidentally”

Manager?

24Engineer vs. Manager

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Engineer Pros & Cons

Pros• Playing with technology is fun• Creating something • More engineer jobs (in an organization)

Cons• Technology changes faster (and faster)

• Less high level engineer position• Harder to get job with age

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Manager Pros & Cons

Pros• Process change slower than technology• More career opportunities (in age)

• Possible higher salary

Cons• People work & solve people problems• More politics• Higher personal responsibilities

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You are a manager, what now?

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Don’t change anything… yet

http://joplin-mohomesforsale.com/image_store/uploads/9/8/6/3/7/ar127856442073689.png

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Listen & Understand… first

http://blog.converseon.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Blog-Listen_First.png

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Management Styles

• Autocratic• Persuasive• Consultative• Management by Walking Around (MBWA)• Laissez-faire / Delegative • Democratic / Participative • Chaotic

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Autocratic

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Hut-m7ip--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/19d8sm6pcxxwfjpg.jpg

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Persuasive

http://www.consultventuretech.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/fotolia_5557970_xs.jpg

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Management by Walking Around (MBWA)

http://www.mattmacdonald.ca/blog/2011/4/29/management-by-walking-around-mbwa.html

Laissez-faire / Delegative

34http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/a438.jpg

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Democratic (Participative)

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/participative-leadership-style.html

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Chaotic

http://blog.commlabindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/management-styles.jpg

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None fits All!

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Situational Leadership

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situational_leadership_theory

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Manager vs

Leader

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http://bhayanibracewell.co.uk/latest-news/leader-or-manager-the-gap-is-getting-greater

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The (right) Role/Skills Match

http://www.techzavia.com/leaders-and-managers-job-role-vs-traits/#.VDBzLulw7zZ

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Being a (First-Level) Manager

• Find a mentor and discuss with same level peers• “Part of Management” or “part of the team “• Cannot share everything with team• Limited influence on decisions • Needs to enforce decision made higher up you may

not agree on and sell it to the team• Find a way to master the email epidemic• Learn to better prioritize

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Managing is like Parenting

http://amplifiedlifenetwork.com/2013/07/managing-is-like-parenting/

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Understand the needs of your teamMaslow's hierarchy of needs (1943/1954)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs

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Treat everyone the same

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Fairly does NOT mean the Same

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2014/02/treating-employees-fairly-not-the-same.html?page=all

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Not Everyone is the Same

• Everyone is different, has different needs and reacts differently

• Understands the needs of each team member and how they tick

• Find out what works best for them• Be consistent, allow you you team to understand

how you tick

http://www.newsroomtuneup.com/2014/01/09/shattering-the-myth-you-dont-treat-all-employees-the-same/

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Junior vs Senior

• Junior team members needs stronger guidelines and mentoring

• Senior team members do NOT appreciated micro management

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The Peer Issue

http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-make-the-transition-easier-after-a-promotion-1505294929

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Why You? Why not Me?

http://ffbmco.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/slide_ask_why_not_me.jpg

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The HR Trap

http://www.shiftconsultants.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Interviewing-Skills-Training.png

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The HR Trap

• As a manager you may cannot keep something confidential for legal reason

• Responsibilities can extend beyond work time and work events

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Recommended Books

More to come…

Summary• There is not a path, it depends• Keep the door open, in case your took the

wrong term• Managing is troubleshooting and problem

solving of process, interpersonal, project and organizational issues

• Leading and managing have their place• Empower your time rather than Micro manage• Enjoy what you do and be patient about it

Downloads, Feedback & Comments:

Q & A

Graphic by Nathan Sawaya courtesy of brickartist.com

theo@designitright.netwww.designitright.net www.speakerrate.com/theoj

References… http://www.roughnotes.com/rnmagazine/2008/september08/09p230.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_styles

Engineer vs Managerhttp://www.slideshare.net/asadykhan/the-qualities-of-a-good-manager

Manager vs Leaderhttp://usscospeaks.com/leaders-vs-managers-whats-the-difference/http://www.techzavia.com/leaders-and-managers-job-role-vs-traits/#.VDBySulw7zZhttp://www.techzavia.com/10-helpful-articles-on-leadership-andmanagement-styles/#.VDBz8ulw7zYhttp://www.roughnotes.com/rnmagazine/2008/september08/09p230.htmhttp://www.newsroomtuneup.com/2014/01/09/shattering-the-myth-you-dont-treat-all-employees-the-same/http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2014/02/treating-employees-fairly-not-the-same.html?page=all

http://www.mattmacdonald.ca/blog/2011/4/29/management-by-walking-around-mbwa.html

Bookshttp://www.amazon.com/Ahead-Curve-Applied-Strategic-Thinking/dp/0972462732/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1412456482&sr=8-4&keywords=ahead+of+the+curvehttp://www.rpi.edu/dept/advising/free_enterprise/business_structures/management_styles.htm

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www.speakerrate.com/theoj

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