For some engineering managers, leadership felt like a natural stepping stone in their career path. For others, like Clearcover Engineering Manager Joey Sabani, the path wasn’t quite so linear.
Sabani managed a restaurant in college, where the business acumen he acquired launched his journey toward management. Meanwhile, Reverb Director of Engineering Kyle Crum longed to find a role where he could provide the kind of guidance and support he gave while teaching English in Myanmar, so he eventually stepped into tech leadership.
Becoming an effective leader doesn’t happen overnight. People management requires developing soft skills and learning hard lessons from time spent as an individual contributor.
Tech team leads across Chicago agree that one of the key traits successful engineering managers have is the ability to listen. Managers should get to know their direct reports outside of their position, and keep an open ear to their concerns, challenges, and ideas. Managers can use empathy and open communication to create healthy environments that empower their engineers to do their best work, feel valued and advance their skill sets.
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