This photo was taken in 2016, 5 years ago. I was in front of a class of 30 mid-career professionals who had decided to make a career change and were learning to code. It was at a coding bootcamp.
As a speaker, I shared my story of how I got into tech and my tips on how to thrive in the industry as a software developer.
It was also one of my very first speaking experiences. I didn't think I did well, but a few students told me that they found it valuable.
Since then I have been speaking at many events, conferences and workshops sharing my knowledge. I speak not because I enjoy speaking or being the centre of attention.
In fact, I am quite the opposite. As an introvert, I enjoy my own company than being in group settings. However, I speak because sharing my knowledge and experiences to help others learn and excel in their careers is my passion.
However, with the pandemic, in-person events have become non-existent so I have been using other medium to share my knowledge.
Your career is a journey, not a destination. Each path you pursue, each person you talk to, each job that you take is a stop along the journey.
To enjoy your career and to have extraordinary experiences in your journey, it requires determination, courage and the willingness to invest your time, energy and resources in your own growth.
I've done the same throughout my career and each time I make an effort to learn new things, I am always rewarded with a sense of achievement and renewed enthusiasm.
If you are ready to feel the same, don't wait for a sign. Or take this as a sign and start learning something. Do these 3 steps:
Step 1: Make a plan with milestones. Be S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound).
Step 2: Commit to the plan. Put it in your calendar. Speak to your manager if you need to.
Step 3: Celebrate your milestones. Reward yourself to keep the momentum going.
You may also check out my gumroad for resources and tools for engineering managers and software developers. gumroad.com/eisabai
From how to write a perfect resume, do well at interviews, be a superstar developer, become an effective engineering manager, to how to run an entire technology department as a CTO, you will find what you need and more. gumroad.com/eisabai
“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo
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In my research for the latest product I created for Senior Engineering leaders called CTO Toolkit, I found that there are 6 critical areas that fall within a senior technology leader’s remit, 3 are strategic and 3 are more operational.
In general, CTOs are responsible for:
⛳️ Technology Strategy
Evaluate the current technology landscape (technology stack, resourcing, capabilities, etc.) and recommend a forward-looking, short and long-term technology strategic vision and plan.
Does a software engineering manager (people manager) normally do a lot of coding in tech companies? I'll answer using my personal experience in the thread.
People often ask about how to be productive or if I have any productivity hacks. I don't really consider them as hacks but these are the things I do. #productivity#manager#timemanagement
- Be ruthless with my calendar and theme my day so I can reserve focus time (eg: Meetings days, Writing days, Strategy days, etc)
- Observe my energy levels and schedule appropriate activities
- Understand what sparks my creativity and do more of that regularly
- Not relying on my memory — Record any ideas within 20 seconds
Studies have found that leaders who focus on the strengths of their teams have better outcomes both in terms of business and employee engagement.
As an engineering manager, do you know what are your strengths of your team members? As a software engineer, what skill is your single greatest strength?
As a senior engineering manager who was once a software developer, I’d say my ability to think and act like a CEO was my greatest strength that has helped me in my career growth and progression.
#developer#engineer#engineeringmanager#careerintech
2/ - Start your day early. If you have an early morning appointment, get up at least an hour before that.
- Practice critical thinking. Don't just take things on the surface value.
3/ - Bias towards action. When you're stuck, when you're given a new piece of information, or when you're feeling dissatisfied being in your comfort zone, take an action, however small that action may be.
You find your role as a manager rewarding while at the same time you can't help but miss building and making things.
Every time you were fun and witty with your team, you worried if you should be acting more serious.
Every time you were serious, you worried about not building rapport with your team.
You struggle to believe in the value you bring to your team as you have smart and capable people working for you.