From Developer to Manager: Finding Your Path and Passion

We have all read blog articles from developers-turned-managers-turned-developers again decrying the shift while warning others not to "sell out" and stop writing code. The transition from software engineer to engineering manager is difficult, confusing, and disorienting, and it's no wonder -- this isn't a promotion, it's a career change!

For some developers, the management track is a disastrous fit, while others come alive in the new role. It all comes down to motivations: What are the things you value? How do you add value to your organization every day? When you are building software, what parts of the process are most compelling to you?

This talk is for developers who might be considering becoming managers, who have already become managers, or who want to confirm that management is not for them! After this talk, you will have learned about:

• The differences between how developers and managers contribute value to their organizations.

• The motivations that drive us towards building code, versus building teams.

• Practical tools for identifying your motivations and discovering the alignment between your motivations, your role, your team, and your organization.

• Clear indications of when management is not the right path for you.

Transcript

1. FIND YOUR PATH AND PASSION DEVELOPER TO MANAGER CHRIS POWERS GROUPON @CHRISJPOWERS HTTP://CHRISJPOWERS.COM
2. March 2013
3. Money, power, prestige…?
4. Makes parents happy
5. Maximize impact
6. Horror Stories
7. “So you’re a chef — can you farm?” MITCH HEDBERG
8. “Being a manager is the same as being a tech lead, but you hire and fire people.”
9. Where’s the manual?!
10. Is this something I can do?
11. WHAT AM I IN FOR? WHAT IS MANAGEMENT?
12. Past managers color our vision
13. Powerful, or empowering?
14. Mentorship
16. Building programs => Building people
17. Building systems => Building teams
18. Value Add => Value Multiply
19. Engine => Steering Wheel
20. Indispensable => Invisible
21. Clarity => Ambiguity
22. Hard Skills => Soft Skills
23. Personal Morale => Team Morale
24. WHAT’S MY MOTIVATION? WHY MAKE THE CHANGE?
25. October 2011
26. Is this something I can do?
27. Is this something I can do? Is this something I am?
28. Focus or obfuscation
29. Self projection
30. May 2006
31. Integration over Balance
33. PRACTICAL STEPS HOW DO I KNOW FOR SURE?
34. April 2007
35. More than one path
36. Find the common thread
37. Edgar Schein (MIT) Career Anchors
38. Technical/Functional competence General Managerial competence Autonomy/Independence Security/Stability
39. Entrepreneurial Creativity Service/Dedication to a cause Pure Challenge Lifestyle
40. MY ORGANIZATION MY TEAM ME
41. MY ORGANIZATION MY TEAM ME ALIGNED TASKS
42. MY ORGANIZATION MY TEAM ME MIS-ALIGNED TASKS
43. MY ORGANIZATION MY TEAM ME MIS-ALIGNED ROLE
44. November 2000
45. Mastery
46. Understand your motivations. Pursue mastery.
47. THANK YOU. CHRIS POWERS GROUPON @CHRISJPOWERS HTTP://CHRISJPOWERS.COM