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Newsletter archive

AI agents and the missing link in DevOps
AI agents aren’t just assistants anymore – they’re making decisions. Are engineers ready for the shift or are they just too skeptical?

Carving out time for large-scale engineering chores
Determine what to prioritize, set out a path, and be prepared for some hiccups along the way.

Encouraging a passion for productivity
In this edition of DirectorPlus, Neha Batra, VP of Engineering at GitHub, explains how she creates a culture of productivity.

Framing AI rollouts in the right light
How can you introduce AI into teams in a way that doesn’t invite unrest within your org? It starts with presenting it in the right light.
Latest
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Is GitHub’s coding agent your newest junior dev?
GitHub’s new coding agent has some perks, but is still showing signs of significant growing pains. What are the current pain points?
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AI coding trackers are here. Proceed with caution
Companies are finally starting to track AI usage within their engineering orgs. Should we be worried or remain cautiously optimistic?
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Navigating the emotional rollercoaster of leadership
Any well-seasoned leader will know that it’s not always an easy journey. The key is to tackle the low moments with the right approach.
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5 AI agent frameworks for developer teams
If you’re thinking of dipping your toes into the agentic pool, here are some frameworks you could explore.
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Your go-to professional growth model
When you’re an engineering leader, finding the time to upskill is almost impossible. Following the S-curve model might keep you on track.
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The right way to make AI part of your tech strategy
With everyone scrambling to bake AI into their technical strategy, leaders may be resorting to unreliable and unscalable methods.
Essential reading

What is a Director of Engineering? The glue keeping engineering together
A director of engineering is responsible for keeping an entire engineering function humming. Find out what skills you need to climb the ladder to this vital position.
On our DirectorPlus playlist

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.

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.

Making the manager of manager’s mindset
Suzan Bond covers the difference between the two roles and the key mindset shifts leaders need to make to manage managers.
More for managers of managers
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What Andreesen Horowitz got wrong about engineering management
The venture capitalists are coming for your BS jobs.
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How to define a new engineering role
Make sure to bring clarity to roles and responsibilities when creating new engineering roles.
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How the AI boom is bringing Silicon Valley back from the brink
Is Silicon Valley so over, or is it back?
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A buyer’s checklist for AI coding assistants
Have you been thinking about trying an AI coding assistant?
Videos for managers of managers
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In praise of “normal engineers”
Why building an engineering org that enables “normal” engineers to thrive is a bigger advantage than chasing top talent.
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Fast, informed, impactful: How to master decision-making
Master the art of efficient decision-making and turn slow, ineffective engineering decisions into a powerful competitive advantage.
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Were our values a lie? Leading teams through diversity’s collapse
As industry shifts impact diversity, leaders must stay true to their values. This talk provides strategies to uphold your principles, build resilience, and foster inclusivity and trust, even when the company no longer prioritizes them.
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So you want to hire engineering force multipliers?
10x engineers, platform engineering, infrastructure, DevEx… What do they have in common?
They’re hard to hire, easily burned out, difficult to grow, and likely to fail. Let’s talk about how to do it right.
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In partnership with Postman
Human-first leadership, AI-powered
Discover how AI can free engineering leaders to focus on people, not process – driving innovation without losing the human core.
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What’s my job again? Developing self-management
Discover how self-management helps you define your role, lead effectively, and manage energy as a leadership constraint.
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Neurodiversity: From struggles to solutions, tips for leading a team
Offering practical tips for leading neurodiverse teams. Whether you’re neurodiverse or neurotypical – helping you to lead with confidence and support your colleagues to create a more inclusive environment.
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Debugging the most critical relationship in your work life: How to work better with an imperfect boss
Many bosses, despite their best efforts, struggle with communication, delegation, and career support for their teams. This talk explores how to navigate the complexities of working with your boss, balancing honesty with career impact, and building a more effective partnership.
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Metrics, KPIs & Developer Experience: Rethinking measurement for high-performing teams
This talk challenges traditional engineering metrics, exploring how to balance KPIs with developer experience using frameworks like SPACE, ensuring teams achieve great results without burnout.
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Balancing direction and empowerment
In this talk, Lara Hogan shares how to balance being empowering and being directive as a leader, as well as when you should switch up your approach.
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The performance curve: A legacy model in modern disguise
A critique of modern performance management, exposing its flawed assumptions and hidden biases, while offering actionable insights for leaders to build fairer, more effective systems that align with their morals and modern organizational goals.
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The sprinter’s leadership mindset
What engineering leaders can learn from the discipline, focus, and strategy of a sprinter.