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Choosing Management: A programmer at the crossroads

Maria Gutierrez
May 12, 2014
68

Choosing Management: A programmer at the crossroads

“Should I become a manager? Do I want to be a manager?” Experienced engineers are often confronted by this important decision at some point in their careers.

Your organisation believes you have the right qualities for the job, but is it really the right choice for you and your team? Now that you have the experience and the domain knowledge, is management the next, natural step in your career path? Is it the right way upwards? Is it a permanent decision?

I’ve twice faced this dilemma during my career. The first time I didn’t feel it was the right move for me, but the second time I very consciously accepted. In this talk I will cover the reasoning behind these decisions, the lessons and pitfalls that I’ve discovered transitioning from a lead engineer to an engineering management role, and what it might mean for my future.

Maria Gutierrez

May 12, 2014
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Transcript

  1. Choosing management
    A programmer at the crossroads
    @mariagutierrez

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  2. Don’t you miss coding?
    I’m a crafter, I like to build things from scratch
    @mariagutierrez
    https://flic.kr/p/9Kkvve

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  3. @mariagutierrez
    http://www.clker.com/clipart-scotland-outline.html
    2000

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  4. @mariagutierrez
    >_
    2000 2001

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  5. @mariagutierrez
    I-play
    >_
    2000 2001 2004

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  6. @mariagutierrez
    ADOBE
    I-play
    http://www.iconsdb.com/black-icons/baby-icon.html
    >_
    2000 2001 2004 2008

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  7. @mariagutierrez
    ADOBE
    I-play
    http://www.iconsdb.com/black-icons/baby-icon.html
    >_
    2000 2001 2004 2008 2010

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  8. @mariagutierrez
    ADOBE
    I-play
    >_
    2000 2001 2004 2008 2010 2011

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  9. ✔ experienced engineer
    ✔ deliver reliably
    ✔ knowledgeable of the technology
    ✔ knowledgeable of the domain
    @mariagutierrez

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  10. ✔ a manager leaves
    ✔ the team grows
    ✔ your manager’s role expands
    @mariagutierrez

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  11. Should I become a
    manager?
    @mariagutierrez

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  12. @mariagutierrez

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  13. @mariagutierrez

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  14. @mariagutierrez

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  15. Same Values
    @mariagutierrez

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  16. ✔ be nice
    ✔ be genuine
    ✔ commit
    ✔ work hard
    @mariagutierrez

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  17. Should I become a
    manager?
    @mariagutierrez

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  18. Am I ready for this role?
    @mariagutierrez

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  19. Will I be able to get a job as
    an engineer again?
    @mariagutierrez

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  20. Challenges
    @mariagutierrez

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  21. Dilbert by Scott Adams - September 18, 2006
    @mariagutierrez

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  22. Dilbert by Scott Adams - September 18, 2006
    @mariagutierrez
    Feedback

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  23. Dilbert by Scott Adams - July 31, 1995
    @mariagutierrez

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  24. Dilbert by Scott Adams - July 31, 1995
    @mariagutierrez
    Micromanagement

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  25. Dilbert by Scott Adams - June 9, 2009
    @mariagutierrez

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  26. Dilbert by Scott Adams - June 9, 2009
    @mariagutierrez
    Productivity

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  27. Dilbert by Scott Adams - August 22, 2003
    @mariagutierrez

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  28. Dilbert by Scott Adams - August 22, 2003
    @mariagutierrez
    Empathy

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  29. My role today
    @mariagutierrez

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  30. ✔ timely deliver great products
    ✔ invest in the team
    ✔ create a safe environment
    ✔ use company budget responsibly
    @mariagutierrez

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  31. ✔ keep true to my values
    ✔ be available
    ✔ be organized
    ✔ communicate
    @mariagutierrez

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  32. Dilbert by Scott Adams - July 5, 1996
    @mariagutierrez

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  33. @mariagutierrez

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  34. @mariagutierrez
    Justin Searls, Office Politics

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  35. “Mummy, is your job making
    other happy faces?”- Ethan , 3
    @mariagutierrez

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  36. @mariagutierrez

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  37. @mariagutierrez
    It sure is!

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