Think Like a Software Engineering Manager

2 Individual contributor to engineering manager

This chapter covers

• Differences between an individual contributor and an engineering manager
• Common misconceptions when transitioning to engineering manager
• Sharing intentions and motivations for becoming an engineering manager
• A three-phase approach for the transition
• How to help others go from individual contributors to engineering managers

My job is not to be easy on people. My job is to take these great people we have and to push them and make them even better.

—Steve Jobs

In chapter 1, we explored the responsibilities of an engineering manager (EM) and emphasized the importance of managing teams and individuals in this role. As more software engineers consider a move into management, ...