Growing Software

Collaborating with the Executive Team

Many development managers at small companies were once excellent senior developers who were promoted to senior management roles. Being the senior technical person who reports to the CEO puts you on the executive team, whether your title is chief technology officer, vice president of engineering, director, or manager. Consequently, you need to be prepared to handle that level of responsibility.

When facing an unfamiliar role as a member of the executive team, a new manager should concentrate on four areas:

• Conflict

• Confidence

• Communication

• Collaboration

Resolving Conflict

Working with other senior managers requires that you be able to work through conflicts; however, conflicts you encounter with the executive team ...