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RailsConf 2017: Panel: Becoming an engineering leader with Shay Howe, Rebecca Miller-Webster, Neha Batra & Abel Martin Are you a new manager? Have you been asked to lead a project? Do you want to see change in your company but don't feel you have the position to enact it? Are you terrified or nervous or unsure where to start? Has a recent situation left you questioning what you did wrong and how to be a better leader? Software development doesn't prepare us for taking on everyday or official leadership and yet, leadership is what every team and company desperately need. Let talk with a group of folks at various stages of the leadership hierarchy about what they have and want to learn.
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The video titled "Panel: Becoming an engineering leader" features a discussion among leaders in software engineering at RailsConf 2017. The panelists include Rebecca Miller-Webster, Neha Batra, Abel Martin, and Shay Howe, who explore the nuances of leadership in the engineering field, addressing both official managers and individual contributors. **Key Points Discussed:** - **Leadership vs. Management:** Panelists emphasized that leadership is not confined to titles; anyone can lead in their role, regardless of being an official manager. Leadership can come from influence and initiative rather than formal authority. - **Learning from Experience:** Panelists shared personal experiences about their journeys into leadership, noting that both positive and negative influences shaped their perspectives. For instance, Abel highlighted the impact of both good and bad managers on his approach to leadership. - **Failure in Leadership:** A significant point made is the acceptance of failure as a critical part of growth. Acknowledging that failure is okay can alleviate the pressure on emerging leaders and foster resilience. - **Linking Work to Business Value:** Neha discussed the importance of understanding how one's contributions impact overall business goals, which is crucial for both individual contributors and leaders. - **Communication and Trust:** Effective communication is paramount when managing up and establishing relationships with one's manager. Regular one-on-ones and open dialogues can foster trust and clarity. - **Coaching and Mentoring:** Panelists differentiated between coaching, mentorship, and management. They advocated for integrating these roles to nurture team development effectively. - **Transitioning from Coding to Management:** The panel addressed the challenges of shifting from a coding role to a managerial position, advising that self-awareness about the demands of management is crucial for successful transitions. - **Continuous Emotional Investment:** Leadership requires ongoing emotional effort, and encouragement must be consistent. Clarity in expectations plays a vital role in these interactions. - **Recommended Resources:** Panelists offered books like "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni and "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz as valuable for leadership development. **Conclusions and Takeaways:** - The discussions underscored that effective leadership engenders trust, encourages open communication, and focuses on managing oneself and the team. Engaging with others for guidance, networking, and continuing education is essential for those aspiring to become better leaders. The session encourages individuals to see leadership as a core competency that can be developed and embraced by anyone in the organization, regardless of their formal title.
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