November 04, 2025
Register or log in to access this video
November 04, 2025
The altitude slider: Knowing when to dive into code vs. drive the strategy
Practical cues and rituals that help senior ICs oscillate between architectural vision and hands-on execution.
About the speaker
-
Curtis Allen
Curtis is a Senior Staff Engineer at Slack.
More like this
How to lead when you just don't know the tech
How to lead successfully in unfamiliar technical domains by embracing uncertainty, empowering teams, and still delivering results – even when you’re not the expert.
Un-becoming the bottleneck
The biggest obstacle to team growth is often Staff+ engineers themselves. Breaking this pattern requires more than just "org-wide impact" it calls for deep, deliberate focus on growing 2-3 key engineers around you.
Engineering excellence: New product development in medical devices
Lessons from leading a seven-year development of a NextGen SPECT/CT scanner, focusing on innovation, compliance, and team leadership.
How to zoom out (and when to stop)
A practical guide for engineers and new engineering leaders on expanding their scope effectively, recognizing when to change their perspective, and maintaining the right balance between strategic thinking and technical depth.