Build better relationships through coding
When I first started this list, back in 2014, I wrote that technical leaders should stop coding and focus on their teams. Now, here I am, working as an Engineering Manager, and I’m learning Go and Kubernetes. Why? I need a shared vocabulary with my team to be an effective leader. After all, if my […]
The uneven distribution of onboarding
Onboarding might be defined as, “A process of experimentation necessary to learn the unspoken rules, expectations, and norms in a new environment.” Never heard that before? I’m not surprised, as I just made it up. But, let me explain it. It’s a process – It takes a lot longer than you think, and doesn’t move […]
Leadership Strategies from Nature with Dr. Kathleen Allen
Episode 37 What can nature teach us about how to get the most from our organizations? In this episode, Marcus welcomes Dr. Kathleen Allen to discuss changing our perspectives of assigning roles within teams and organizations to what she calls leading a “living systems”. Dr. Allen is the president of her consulting firm, Allen and […]
The Art of Leadership with Michael Lopp
Episode 36 How can you build trust as a leader? In this episode of Programming Leadership, Marcus and his guest, Michael Lopp discuss the small practices that make a good leader. Listen to learn about building trust, respect, and relationships in a leadership role. Show Notes Leadership practices are small things done repetitively over […]
Junk-food for the Manager’s Soul
In the second week of my new job, I’m feeling some strong urges. The urge to make a big impact. To be seen as a high-performer. To take action, make big moves, and leave my mark. The urge to impress. But satisfying this urge will bring the opposite of what I really want. To […]
Collaboration and Notqmail with Amitai Schleier
Episode 35 On this episode of Programming Leadership, Marcus and his guest, Amitai Schleier, discuss a new project Amitai is working on regarding reviving an old, but useful, open-source program called qmail. Strategy and collaboration on this project as well as how to manage a project of this nature are discussed. Show Notes The […]
A thought on Relational Onboarding
Okay, so you know I started a new job. Can I use that as an excuse not to have worked on the book much? Hmmm… as I write this, the word ‘excuse’ stands out. I think I have my answer. Thankfully, I get another try next week. And you do too. 🙂 Instead, I’ll send […]
Office Space Cathedrals
I’m going to try something new this week. I’ve been feeling stuck writing the book lately. I’ll spare you the gory details, but needless to say, the publishers are getting pretty antsy about the project. Frankly, I think I’m spending more time avoiding writing than actually writing. So, in the spirit of eating my own […]
Debugging problems
Virginia Satir, the pioneer of family therapy and human systems, said: “The problem isn’t the problem; coping is.” Ponder this for a moment: Today, the ‘problem’ that you have, or see, or is brought to you, isn’t a problem at all. It’s simply a situation, or some facts, or a pattern. There’s no naughty […]
My three hopes for 2020
This has been a year of change for me. Old friends passed, new friends came. “Sure fire” ideas failed, and “long shots” succeeded. Somehow, without my noticing, this email list became more than a “marketing channel.” And you become more than just a “target customer.” It might be a stretch, but I think we’re […]
Becoming a Better Manager Means Starting with Yourself with Johanna Rothman
Episode 34 To be a modern manager, you must manage yourself first. In this episode of Programming Leadership, Marcus and his guest, Johanna Rothman discuss how you must learn to manage yourself to be effective at managing other people. They will discuss some common mistakes managers make and some important values to instill in yourself […]
Reverse engineering meetings
It’s easy to feel that meetings are a waste of time. “Too much talk, not enough action” frustrates some people. This seems especially true when the “talk” is mostly complaints. But I want you to reverse engineer your meeting. Pretend the meeting is an opaque, black box system. The visible outputs are what is said, […]
When should you code, coach, or consult?
There are many things you could do today. Three options are coding, consulting, or coaching. Each has its place, but how do you know which is fit for a given problem? Here’s how I think about it. Coding (or any hands-on work) is helpful when your team needs: A particular skill that you have, which […]
Foresight is 2020
Ever notice the same problems keep cropping up, year after year? It’s like “problem whack-a-mole” – you handle it in one situation only to have it pop up in another place. Most of us continue doing the same things, expecting different results. I think we can do better. Let’s do different things. Think different […]
Rise of the Resilient Manager with Lara Hogan
Episode 33 Are you a resilient manager? Do you want to become one? In this episode of Programming Leadership, Marcus and his guest, Lara Hogan discuss what it means to be a resilient manager. She will discuss some effective management skills and thought processes. She will also introduce us to the idea of the manager […]