Latest
-
Do managers still need to be hands on?
While remaining hands-on is naturally tempting for engineers, it’s not always the most effective way to lead.
-
Gut-based engineering leadership is failing
Why instinct isn’t enough for stakeholders who need clear, actionable answers.
-
Factorio and the promise of better software engineering
Just why is the complex factory-building video game so appealing to software developers and can it help them get better at their jobs?
-
Strategies to hone commercial awareness and drive business outcomes
Learn effective strategies for enhancing commercial awareness in tech teams, turning engineering into a business driver through alignment, impactful initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.
Editor’s picks
How to find and become a great engineering mentor
Mentoring is a great way to boost your career. Here’s everything you need to know about getting a mentor, and becoming one yourself.
London • June 16 & 17, 2025
A festival of engineering leadership
Essential reading
Learning to enjoy the career progression journey
Reaching a management position in the tech industry is hard work. It’s important to remember to enjoy the journey and celebrate victories big and small along the way.
On our Career development playlist
There and back again – A cautionary tale about entering middle management
Explore the realities of middle management through a journey of promotion, stress, and self-reflection, offering guidance on finding the right leadership path.
Unconventional paths in tech: Leveraging your strengths to find your place
n this talk, Mitra Raman will take a look at the many paths that engineers can take on their leadership journey.
Career vectors for technical leaders
Mix and match skills to become the best technical leader that you can be.
The path from Director to CTO: How to follow it, or how to mentor it
This talk is aimed at both aspiring Chief Technology Officers and those who are in a position to mentor future CTOs. Explore the journey from a Director of Engineering role to a CTO, focusing on the skills and experiences needed for this transition and how experienced leaders can guide others on this path.
Essential soft skills you need to succeed as an engineer
There is a big focus on technical expertise in software engineering – but soft skills are equally as important. Which ones are crucial to master and how can you do this?
A festival of engineering leadership
London • June 16 & 17, 2025
More about Career development
-
6 questions to ask yourself before applying to that job
Applying to roles is daunting, especially given the current tech backdrop. Here are some things to consider before sending your CV.
-
Why Zig is one of the hottest programming languages to learn
A recent Stack Overflow survey revealed Zig is highly-admired and developers are highly-paid – but why?
-
How to lead without authority
Being an IC has many perks, but there are a few drawbacks to contend with. Learn how to influence and lead without authority.
-
Own your career with a personal development plan
It’s time to take your career progression into your own hands.
-
Ask Mathias: How can I build a business that lasts?
In today’s market it can be difficult to know where to start when building your business. Community corner’s Mathias is here to help.
-
Ask Maria: How to stop team burnout after a subject expert quits
What happens when the one person everyone went to for answers leaves? Our community columnist Maria Ntalla tells us more on the matter.
-
Are UK developers too risk averse?
The UK languishes far behind the United States when it comes to building successful software businesses.
Top Career development videos
-
Learning is a core capability of software teams; here’s how to measure it
Sorrel Harriet shares what she has learned. Specifically, talking about how she has been measuring learning culture and using the data to uplift learning capability in different organizations and teams. While still an experiment in progress, the methods and tools she’s using are mature enough to be shared, so as to invite commentary and feedback from fellow practitioners.
-
Managing in hard times: How to shift from growth to stability
David LaMothe covers some of the key actions a manager should take to make sure their team gets through difficult times. Whether it’s managing expectations, focusing on the essentials, or celebrating small successes, you will leave with the essential toolbox you need to weather the storm.
-
Making work (and life) less stressful by making better decisions
Nicky Thompson’s talk is aimed at engineers, tech leads, managers, humans – anyone who makes decisions. Making better decisions is a skill that you can improve on, and this talk will introduce some ways to do that.
-
Building teams in tumultuous times. Lessons learned after multiple layoffs
Chris Jimenez covers topics of providing clarity to yourself and finding energy and motivation to rebuild as a leader, providing clarity to your teammates and different ways of offering support, organization re-structure with the intent of bringing people together with a clear scope, and tips and tricks on rebuilding the culture and team cohesion.
-
Leading through the downturn
Allison Malloy shares the secret sauce to building high-performing teams that thrive in any economic climate. You will learn practical strategies to keep growing your team’s careers (as well as your own), retain your top talent, bolster morale, and get shit done!
-
Space aliens are among us, your product roadmap is realistic, and other lies you believe
In this talk, I’ll help you establish focus, cut through metrics that don’t matter, and sharpen your team’s execution so that you can meet your business goals.
-
The Many Shapes of a VP of Engineering
Emily will talk about different archetypes that are common for the VP of Engineering role, how to assess what type your organization needs, and how the role can evolve over time.
-
Leaders building leaders: Mentoring staff+ engineers into powerhouses
Emily Thomas talks about how unraveling expectations, common challenges, setting clear career progression and de-mystifying communication between an engineering manager and Staff+ engineers is one of the most impactful ways to create a highly efficient team. Let’s talk about how to do just that.