Engineering Management - Baby steps

Moving into a management role is exiting one and nervous in the other hand. Taking up a management role may be a rewarding step in your career, but you should know about the things you're leaving behind.
Once you move in to manager role- people are your product not technology. 

So help them grow and stay around them to support. You are no longer a individual contributor, but You are the leader of your team and you also need to protect your team from corporate politics.

Let’s talk about the journey from Dev/Engineer to a manager (as the title goes):
Based on how the teams are structured, your roles and responsibilities will be different.
In some organisations the teams may be smaller and you may write code, however in other organisations you may just do the people leadership, process and governance. In some other orgnaisation you may ask to do the coding + people leadership, process and governance.
In the end, Your job description may be totally different and your measurement of success will not be the same compared with an developer role.
Also to note, not every company puts managers completely away from the tech side. In my current role, apart from leading the people, managing the processes, I work with the project teams to make sure that projects are staffed correctly, and overall technical governance of the project. 

Why is the switching from tech to manager is hard?
It’s hard for great engineers to move into management because they like being deeply focused on challenging technical problems, not hopping in and out of a dozen meetings every day.
You have to enable your team for success and trust in them to deliver, instead you are doing the actual work. Let the team do the work and support them where needed.

Sacrifices:
If you want to become a manager, be prepared to give up some of the things you enjoy most about your current role. As a developer, you have a lot of control over your work. But as a manager, you'll have to delegate tasks and manage people, which can be more challenging.

It's important to be aware of some the trade-offs before making the decision to move into management 

“Me” time: As an engineer you have your own time to work, as soon as you turn into manager you calendar gets filled up so quickly. You will be hopping in and out of the meeting whole day long. So there will be no "me" time after all.

Effort un-recognized: You will be leading and empowering your team to create long term gains, which most of the times unrecognized unlike an engineer. You are the backbone to the team which never show your face. “Success” is also a lot murkier as a manager which means no praises.

Dealing with people issues: Have you ever worked on an improvement plan to uplift an underperforming colleague. Well, that will be you this time. As an individual contributor, you might think it would be easy to fire a colleague who is not pulling their weight. However, as a manager, you know that it is a difficult and unpleasant task. You have to have the difficult conversation with the employee, and you also have to deal with the fallout from the decision. Having difficult conversation is a huge part of being a manager.

Making technical decisions: When an engineer moves into manager role, they will still hold the technical character to their heart. This will hurt them and the team dearly. Let the team make the decision even you are a ‘Guru’ in that. 

Learning new technical skills: As an engineering manager, you may not be involved in day-to-day hands on works, however you should see the broader technology trends in your industry and understand the tradeoffs of different solutions. When you walk-in to a meeting or introduced to a new project then at least you know what’s all about.

Now you have decided to take up the role, then how to success in this role as Engineering Manager;

I have top 5 tips to succeed in this role;

Networking and Mentorship: Building a strong professional network and seeking mentorship are invaluable. Connect with other engineering managers, attend industry events, and seek guidance from experienced mentors. Learning from others' experiences can provide insights and shortcuts to success.

Handle Conflict with Grace: Conflict is inevitable in any workplace. Learn to navigate conflicts with diplomacy and grace. Address issues promptly, seek resolutions that benefit the entire team, and use conflicts as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Team Building and Leadership: Invest time in building a cohesive and high-performing team. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of your team members, foster a culture of collaboration, and lead by example. Empower your team to take ownership of their work, and provide guidance and support when needed.

Embrace a Growth Mindset: The tech industry is dynamic, and a growth mindset is crucial for adapting to change. Encourage continuous learning within your team and demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development. This mindset creates a culture of resilience and adaptability.

Foster a Positive Work Environment: A positive work environment is a catalyst for productivity and innovation. Encourage a culture of open communication, recognition, and work-life balance. Invest in team-building activities and listen to your team's feedback to create a workplace where everyone thrives.

In conclusion, the journey from an engineer to Engineering manager is a challenging one and the path to success as an engineering manager requires a multifaceted approach, combining technical expertise, leadership skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By following this roadmap, aspiring engineering managers can navigate the challenges of their roles with confidence and lead their teams to success in the ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry.

Life lessons from "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari"

Recently I re-read "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" by Robin Sharma, which emphasises the importance of living a simple, disciplined, and mindful life.  It also emphasises the power of positive thinking and facing fears, and the importance of living with passion.

Some of the key takeaways from this book is finding happiness by living a meaningful and purposeful life in a simplistic way by following few simple steps;

Embrace Simplicity: Simplifying your life by letting go of unnecessary possessions and distractions can lead to greater happiness.

Live with Discipline: Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. Cultivate self-discipline for success.

The Importance of Silence: Regular moments of silence and reflection foster inner peace and clarity.

Mindfulness Matters: Being present in the moment and practising mindfulness enhances your overall well-being

The Power of Positive Thinking: Positive thoughts contribute to a positive life. Cultivate optimism and focus on solutions rather than problems.

Face Your Fears: Confronting fears is essential for personal growth. It leads to greater confidence and resilience.

Live with Passion: Infuse passion into everything you do. It brings vitality and enthusiasm to your life.

Are You a Strategic Thinker?

From time to time in different forums we get asked “are you a strategic thinker”.

In current world, where a constant change is faster than ever before which means thinking strategically has become increasingly valuable to see what is ahead. This applies to for individuals and for organisations.

As we are talking so much about the importance of strategic thinking, but what exactly does it mean to be a strategic thinker, and how can you determine if you possess this valuable skill? Let's explore some of the traits and habits of strategic thinkers to help you assess your own strategic thinking abilities.

Setting Clear Long-Term Goals:
Strategic thinkers are known for their ability to set clear, overarching goals that guide their actions and decisions. They think about the future and what they want to achieve in the long run. 

If you ask yourself: Do you have a vision for your future, both professionally and personally? Can you articulate your long-term goals and objectives? 

Planning and Prioritising:
Strategic thinking involves setting priorities and creating plans to achieve your goals. Strategic thinkers excel at breaking down their objectives into actionable steps and timelines. They understand the importance of making choices about what to focus on and what to leave aside. 

If you ask yourself: Do you consistently prioritise your tasks and develop action plans to reach your goals?

Thinking About the Big Picture:
Strategic thinkers look at the big picture and consider how their decisions will impact the broader context. They're not just focused on short-term gains but are concerned with long-term consequences. 

If you ask yourself: Are you conscious of how your actions and choices fit into a larger plan or vision?

Embracing Complexity:
Strategic thinkers are comfortable dealing with complexities. They don't shy away from intricate problems or challenging situations. Instead, they see complexity as an opportunity to dig deeper, understand nuances, and find creative solutions. 

If you ask yourself: Are you willing to tackle complex issues and look for innovative solutions?

Open to Change:
Adaptability is a hallmark of strategic thinking. Those who possess this skill are open to change and flexible in their approach. They can adjust their strategies and tactics as circumstances evolve. 

If you ask yourself: Are you open to adjusting your plans when needed? Can you embrace change and uncertainty?

Collaborating and Communication:
Effective strategic thinkers understand the importance of collaboration and communication. They work well with others to achieve common goals and can articulate their vision to inspire and align people. 

If you ask yourself: Are you a good communicator and collaborator?

Evaluate and Reflect:
Strategic thinkers regularly evaluate their progress and reflect on their actions. They use feedback and results to refine their strategies and improve over time. 

If you ask yourself: Do you take the time to assess your efforts and learn from your experiences?

Taking Risks:
Strategic thinking often involves taking calculated risks. While not reckless, strategic thinkers are willing to step out of their comfort zones to achieve their goals. 

If you ask yourself: Are you comfortable with taking calculated risks when necessary?

Committed to Growth:
Strategic thinkers have a growth mindset. They are committed to ongoing self-improvement and learning. They see challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth. 

If you ask yourself: Are you open to learning and self-development?

If the answer is Yes to at lest some of them if not all, then you are heading in right direction and you're well on your way to being a strategic thinker

Final note, strategic thinking is a valuable skill that can benefit individuals in various aspects of life. 
To determine if you are a strategic thinker, assess your ability to set long-term goals,  plan and prioritise, think about the big picture, embrace complexity,  adapt to change, collaborate and communicate effectively, evaluate and reflect, take calculated risks, and commit to personal growth. 
If you identify with these traits, congratulations – you're well on your way to being a strategic thinker. If not, don't worry; strategic thinking can be developed and honed over time through practice and self-awareness.

A servant leader - Few effective leadership qualities

A good leader is someone who can inspire and motivate others to achieve a common goal. They are able to think strategically and make sound decisions. They are also able to communicate effectively and build strong relationships.

Empathy / Helps people with life issues (not just work issues):

It is important to understand the people and their wellbeing not just their jobs.

A leader puts themselves first to help people, then the corporate need.

Values Others opinions:

A servant leader values everyone’s contributions and regularly seeks out opinions. 

To be a good servant leader you must be a good listener. Listen to the people around you and value each one of their opinion.

Acts with humility:

True leader understands and follows that it is not about themselves but it is about others. 

Always willing to know their own limitations and are open to learn from others

Cultivates a culture of trust:

Lead with authenticity, as opposed to relying solely on authority, is a leadership approach that emphasizes being true to oneself, transparent, and genuine in interactions with others

Develops other leaders:

Show path to others to lead and grow. The leader is not always leading but giving opportunity and power to others to learn and lead

Always Thinks “YOU” not “me”:

Selflessness Servant leaders think ‘you’ not ‘me’.

Put others benefits first before considering their own.

Encourages:

The hallmark of a servant leader is encouragement.  And a true servant leader says "Let’s go do it" instead of "You do it"

 

Strategic thinking:

A servant leader thinks strategically and long term goals.

Even though today is important but tomorrow is more important.

SCCM 2006 - VPN boundary

With the release of SCCM 2006, there is a new boundary type introduced named VPN.
To create a VPN based boundary;
1. Go to \Administration\Overview\Hierarchy Configuration\Boundaries
2. Right click on Boundaries Create Boundary
3. On create Boundary window select Type: VPN 

4. Once VPN is selected, option to configure the boundary based on;
- Auto Detect VPN
- Connection Name
- Connection description