Engineering Management for the Rest of Us

Core Framework

The book structures management into four progressive areas:

1. Caring for your team - Building trust, psychological safety, and understanding individual values
2. Promoting collaboration - Communication, meetings, conflict resolution, cross-team work
3. Aiding team performance - Prioritization, scoping work, execution speed
4. Personal boundaries - Sustainable leadership and self-belief

Key Concepts

• 1:1s are critical: Regular one-on-ones form the foundation of trust and feedback loops
• Career laddering: Clear growth paths help retain and develop engineers
• Change management: Leading teams through transitions requires deliberate communication
• Scope down PRs: Smaller, focused changes enable faster iteration and review
• Trust and vulnerability: Managers who show vulnerability build stronger teams

Connections

Complements extreme-ownership-jocko-willink-tedx on accountability, though Drasner emphasizes empathy over command. Aligns with start-with-why-simon-sinek on team motivation through shared purpose.