“I’m only interested in management for the power.” Laugh, laugh, laugh. Wrong answer. Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash
A common question I’m asked is, “I’m a software engineer. How do I become an engineering manager?”
The first question I generally respond with is, “why do you want to become a manager,” but that’s another topic all on its own.
Below are some ways you can prepare yourself for becoming an engineering manager.
1. Make It Known That You Have an Interest in Pursuing the Career Path
It seems obvious, but this should be the first step. After identifying management as your career choice, let your manager know.
Good managers will begin working with you on what a management career path looks like. While they are doing so, work to identify why you want to be a manager.
2. Identify if There Are Any Near-Term Opportunities To Move Into a Management Role
If your company is in a growth or scale-up stage, a management role may open soon. It’s also possible that one is already open.
For near-term opportunities, talk to your manager about what gaps you need to close to be a good candidate or where you can stretch yourself to show your capabilities.
3. Take Over Managerial Duties Within Your Direct Team
As with any new position, getting reps ahead of time is helpful. Managerial duties could look like this:
Regular 1:1s with folks you’re mentoring
Lead projects with a focus on execution
Lead sprint planning
Backlog organization
Social organizer
Retro facilitation
Discovery discussions with product managers
Stakeholder meeting participation
Strategic planning
Process improvements
Reviewing metrics from completed projects
Architecture roadmapping
Tech debt identification
That’s not even a full list of activities you could try out. Work with your manager to see what makes sense for you to take over and review frequently.
4. Ask Your Manager To Give You Something Each Week or Month That They Don’t Have Time For
Asking what you can take off your manager’s plate is a great step. It shows you are ready to stretch outside your current role while letting your manager offload something.
Generally, this will be a non-critical task or maybe the first pass at some documentation. As you show an aptitude for the tasks given to you, the importance/size of the task should increase.
This is a great way to get direct coaching and mentorship on a managerial-level task. It can also give you insight into whether management is the right path for you.
If you hate the tasks, no harm, no foul. The management track is right for you if you love them or enjoy the challenge. If nothing else, this exercise will help you further cement whether or not you are interested in pursuing the management path further.
5. Get Involved in the Hiring and Interview Process
As a manager, you will be responsible for the team makeup. How you build your teams, or backfilling, can set you up for success or failure.
By getting involved in the hiring and interview process, you get reps in understanding team construction. Shadow hiring manager interviews. Talk through each interview afterward with your manager. What did they see? What did you see?
With reps in this realm, you will see the holes that need to be filled within your current organization.
6. Shadow and Talk to Other Managers Within Your Company
Talking to other managers about their path may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s often forgotten.
Spending time with other managers will give you a sense of their day-to-day and what they enjoy/dislike about their role. Ask lots of questions, keep an open mind, and see what you learn.
7. Listen to Podcasts or Read About Management and Engineering Management
By reading this post, you’re well on your way to researching engineering management.
Here are some podcasts I’ve found helpful over time:
How Leaders Lead with David Novak
Level Up Engineering
Engineering Enablement
Think Fast, Talk Smart
Super Managers
The McKinsey Podcast
Reading or listening isn’t only about learning something new. It’s about getting some thought repetitions on what you currently hold to be true about management and leadership.
8. Look at Engineering Management Roles Outside of Your Company
Checking out job postings outside of your company serves a few purposes. First, it gives you insight into what other companies look for in managers. Second, it gives you a sense of where your skills may still be incomplete.
Take a look at job requirements and look for patterns of skills you lack. Once identified, look for opportunities within your current role to improve those skills.
Build a repository or list of skills and evaluate yourself on the competencies. I like to use the four competence quadrants:
Unconscious Incompetence: Unaware of skills needed
Conscious Incompetence: Aware of skill but lack ability
Conscious Competence: Actively aware of using skill
Unconscious Competence: Second nature, able to perform without thinking about it
Be honest with yourself and review with your manager. How do you get into “Competence” with the skills you’ve outlined?
Final Thoughts
Be vocal about your desire to enter the management arena. As opportunities present themselves, think, “would I want to do this full time?”
Each opportunity is a chance to dig deeper or find another path, even if that means going back to the individual contributor trail. Don't be discouraged by imposter syndrome thoughts. Very few engineering managers hopped directly into management and that's what makes each of us unique. We all bring our own expertise to the table.
Whether you started in QA, Front End Engineering, or any other variety, there are groups of individuals looking for leadership and your unique view of the tech world may be exactly what your company is looking for.
