Managers Club, Interviews and Resources for Engineering Managers

Vidal Graupera

Join host Vidal Graupera, as he sits down with top engineering managers from leading tech companies to discuss the challenges and triumphs of managing engineering teams. Each episode provides valuable insights and practical tips for anyone looking to enhance their management skills. In addition to interviews, the Managers Club podcast features resource segments to help you stay up-to-date on the latest tools and trends in the industry. Tune in to level up your management game. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/managersclub/support read less

How I Went from Engineer to Manager Overnight, Lessons Learned
Jan 24 2023
How I Went from Engineer to Manager Overnight, Lessons Learned
In this interview, we follow the journey of Swathi Sundar, an engineering manager at Benchling and ex-Uber, who, as a tech lead, was suddenly made an engineering manager overnight. Through her personal experiences, Swathi shares the challenges and lessons she learned during this transition period. From managing expectations and leading a team to deal with the pressure and responsibilities of the new software engineering manager role, this video offers valuable insights for anyone looking to move into a management position in the tech industry. Watch now to learn how she navigated this sudden change and emerged as a successful engineering leader.    Swathi also shares her strategies for effectively communicating with her team and stakeholders, as well as how she adapted to the new responsibilities and expectations that come with being an engineering manager. Swathi covers growing a new tech lead. Finally, she also provides tips on transitioning to a new company as an engineering manager. This video is a must-watch for anyone looking to transition smoothly from an engineering role to a management role in the tech industry. With Swathi's personal experiences and practical advice, you'll gain valuable insights on navigating this challenging but rewarding journey.   CHAPTERS  0:00 Introduction0:20 How Swathi became a manager overnight 1:02 How big was your team and what did you do?  2:50 What are some things that you quickly had to get up to speed with on management?4:48 Growing a new tech lead 6:13 Difficulty letting go.... 7:44 Resources that helped you become a manager '9:13 New relationship with direct reports 12:28 Changes during COVID pandemic 15:50 Performance management 16:39 Final lessons from Uber 18:17 Moving to a new company 21:03 Additional advice on transitioning to be a manager at a new company 22:23 Managing sideways and up 25:00 Do you miss coding? 26:10 Engineers, code engineering managers write. 29:55 Parting advice   RESOURCES   https://www.linkedin.com/in/swathisundar/You're in Charge — Now What?: The 8 Point Plan : https://amzn.to/3wsxTiGSwathi's writings on medium: https://swathi-sundar.medium.com/  ABOUT ME: I'm Vidal, an author, podcaster, and engineering manager working at LinkedIn in the SF Bay Area. I am on a mission to help and inspire engineering leaders everywhere!   MY BOOKS ⭐️ The Software Engineering Manager Interview Guide https://amazon.com/dp/B086JMXP28  ⭐️ Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HM6LSCL⭐️ How to Write an Engineering Manager Resume, https://vidalgraupera.gumroad.com/l/esbgw    CONNECT WITH ME ⭐️ My website: https://www.managersclub.com  ⭐️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalgraupera⭐️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgraupera  ⭐️ ManagersClub LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13846374/⭐️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@managersclub  #engineeringmanagement #leadershipdevelopment #womenintech --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/managersclub/support
Improve Your Presentations with Neil Thompson from Teach the Geek to Speak
May 21 2022
Improve Your Presentations with Neil Thompson from Teach the Geek to Speak
Teach the Geek to Speak's Neil Thompson discusses improving presentations this week. We cover: What are engineers' biggest public speaking challenges? How should presenters prepare? What's the difference between non-technical and technical audiences? Does the rise of WFH affect how to do presentations over Zoom vs. face-to-face best? And more! Transcript at https://managersclub.com/improve-your-presentations/ 0:08 Tell us a bit about yourself and how did you get into teaching about public speaking? 02:22 How would you define a great public speaker? 03:43 What are the most common difficulties engineers have from doing well at public speaking? 05:29 How should people best prepare to give a presentation? 06:39 What is the difference between giving a presentation to a non-technical audience versus a technical audience? 08:48 Now that so many people are WFH, does it change how you do public speaking over Zoom, for example, instead of a live face-to-face audience? 10:32 Do you have any tips regarding visuals, slide decks, etc.? 12:02 Any tips on how to handle Q&A? Is it better to save all questions to the end or take them as you go? 12:22 What is the best way to get feedback after a talk? 14:07 Are there any tools, books or resources you would recommend to people to improve their public speaking? For example, I know that many people recommend toastmasters for this... 16:37 Any advice for people who English is not their first language? 17:11 Where can we go to learn more about you and your course? RESOURCES: ⭐️ Neil's website: teachthegeek.com ⭐️ Neil's YouTube channel: youtube.teachthegeek.com ⭐️ Neil's Podcast: anchor.fm/teachthegeek ⭐️ Neil's book: https://amzn.to/3MigUps WHO AM I: I’m Vidal, an author, podcaster, and engineering manager working at LinkedIn in the SF Bay Area. I am on a mission to help and inspire engineering leaders everywhere. MY BOOKS: ⭐️ The Software Engineering Manager Interview Guide https://amazon.com/dp/B086JMXP28 ⭐️ Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HM6LSCL FOLLOW ME: ⭐️ My website: https://www.managersclub.com ⭐️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalgraupera/ ⭐️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgraupera ⭐️ ManagersClub LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13846374/ GET IN TOUCH: If you’d like to talk, I’d love to hear from you. Pinging me directly on LinkedIn will be the quickest way to get a response, but if your question is very long, feel free to email me at hi@managersclub.com. ----------------------- Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and buy something, I get a tiny commission, which helps me keep bringing you material like this. #leadership #management #engineering #blackintech --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/managersclub/support
Engineering Leadership with Chintan Shah, VP Engineering at Collective & ex-Uber
May 20 2022
Engineering Leadership with Chintan Shah, VP Engineering at Collective & ex-Uber
Chintan Shan, VP of Engineering at Collective & ex-Uber joins me this week. We talk about the Jobs to be Done framework and great advice for sourcing candidates. In addition, he shares some key points for new managers and two good book recommendations for managers. Transcript at https://managersclub.com/engineering-leadership-chintan-shah-vp-engineering/ 0:01 Introduction 0:22 What’s your background, and how did you get into management? 2:17 What are the biggest challenges you face as an engineering leader? 3:01 Could you share with us a lesson you learned as an engineering leader? 6:47 Hiring is an important function of management. What is your approach to hiring? 11:15 What’s your advice for managers who are just starting? 15:24 What’s your workday like, and how do you manage your time, emails, calendar, etc.? 19:14 What’s a personal habit contributing to your success as an engineering leader? 21:17 Can you share an internet resource, app, or tool that helps you as a manager? 24:10 If you could recommend one book to managers, what would it be and why? 25:49 As a manager, what is your approach to developing & leveling up members of your team? 29:18 What does it take to be a great engineering leader? 30:58 Where can we go to learn more about you? RESOURCES ⭐️ Chintan Shan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chintan/ ⭐️ Clayton Christensen's Innovator's Dilemma. https://amzn.to/3FDZOQD ⭐️ Turn the Ship Around https://amzn.to/3l19ZF9 ⭐️ Amazon leadership principles ⭐️ gem.com WHO AM I: I’m Vidal, an author, podcaster, and engineering manager working at LinkedIn in the SF Bay Area. I am on a mission to help and inspire engineering leaders everywhere. MY BOOKS: ⭐️ The Software Engineering Manager Interview Guide https://amazon.com/dp/B086JMXP28 ⭐️ Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HM6LSCL FOLLOW ME: ⭐️ My website: https://www.managersclub.com ⭐️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalgraupera ⭐️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgraupera ⭐️ ManagersClub LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13846374/ GET IN TOUCH: If you’d like to talk, I’d love to hear from you. Pinging me directly on LinkedIn will be the quickest way to get a response, but if your question is very long, feel free to email me at hi@managersclub.com. ----------------------- Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and buy something, I get a tiny commission, which helps me keep bringing you material like this. #leadership #management #engineering #leadershipdevelopment --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/managersclub/support
Engineering Leadership with Guillermo Manzo, Senior Manager Expedia & US Marine
May 9 2022
Engineering Leadership with Guillermo Manzo, Senior Manager Expedia & US Marine
Guillermo Manzo, Senior Engineering Manager at Expedia, joins me this week. We hear how he went from the Marine Corps to a successful engineering leader. Guillermo offers leadership and delegation tips. We discuss hiring diversity. And we cover his approach to career advancement and leveling up his direct reports among other things. Transcript at https://managersclub.com/engineering-leadership-guillermo-manzo-senior-manager-expedia-us-marine/ 0:01 Introduction 0:22 What’s your background, and how did you get into management? 3:48 What are the biggest challenges you face as an engineering leader? 6:18 Could you share with us a lesson you learned as an engineering leader? 7:47 Hiring is an important function of management. What is your approach to hiring? 10:40 What’s your advice for managers who are just starting? 12:52 What’s your workday like, and how do you manage your time, emails, calendar, etc.? 15:35 What’s a personal habit contributing to your success as an engineering leader? 17:36 If you could recommend one book to managers, what would it be and why? 18:28 Can you share an internet resource, app, or tool that helps you as a manager? 19:58 As a manager, what is your approach to developing & leveling up members of your team? 24:35 What does it take to be a great engineering leader? 25:28 Where can we go to learn more about you? RESOURCES ⭐️ Guillermo Manzo on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillermomanzo/ ⭐️ The Prince by Machiavelli https://amzn.to/3OQSK7s WHO AM I: I’m Vidal, an author, podcaster, and engineering manager working at LinkedIn in the SF Bay Area. I am on a mission to help and inspire engineering leaders everywhere. MY BOOKS: ⭐️ The Software Engineering Manager Interview Guide https://amazon.com/dp/B086JMXP28 ⭐️ Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HM6LSCL FOLLOW ME: ⭐️ My website: https://www.managersclub.com ⭐️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalgraupera/ ⭐️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/vgraupera ⭐️ ManagersClub LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13846374/ GET IN TOUCH: If you’d like to talk, I’d love to hear from you. Pinging me directly on LinkedIn will be the quickest way to get a response, but if your question is very long, feel free to email me at hi@managersclub.com. ----------------------- Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them and buy something, I get a tiny commission, which helps me keep bringing you material like this. #leadership #management #engineering #latinx --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/managersclub/support