Why am I passionate about this?
Ever since my teenage self stumbled into the world of computer programming, Iâve been fascinated by how technology is built. This isnât limited to just how the software or hardware is architected; Iâm just as fascinated by how teams and companies work together in order to get the job done. Iâm currently Director of Engineering at Shopify, and previously I helped grow Brandwatch from start-up to scale up to successful acquisition. Along the way Iâve blogged what Iâve learned and have published two books: one being the subject of this list, and the other being Effective Remote Work. I live in Cumbria, UK.
James' book list on engineers that want to become fantastic managers
Why did James love this book?
It heartens me to see that more and more excellent material is being produced about how to be an effective senior individual contributor, and Tanyaâs book is a fantastic guide for growth-minded engineers that want to become technical leaders in their organization.
More importantly, as a manager, you get a blueprint of how to turn your senior engineers into true leaders and partners.
I almost see this book as a sibling of my own that I wrote for managers: it skillfully dances between making yourself better, making your team better, and making your company better. Essential reading for any senior engineer to understand what lies ahead.
1 author picked The Staff Engineer's Path as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
For years, companies have rewarded their most effective engineers by suggesting they move to a management position. But treating management as the default (or only) path for an engineer with leadership ability doesn't serve the industry well. The staff engineer path allows you to contribute at a high level, with more free time to drive big projects, determine tech strategy, and raise everyone's skills.
With this in-depth book, author Tanya Reilly shows you ways to master strategic thinking, manage difficult projects, and set the standard for technical work. You'll learn how to be a leader without direct authority, how toâŚ