As an engineering manager, my journey has been an interesting evolution from being deeply immersed in coding to orchestrating a symphony of talent and technology. The transition has brought with it a profound shift in how I allocate my time and energy. While I once spent a lot more time crafting code and solving technical puzzles, my focus now lies in fostering a collaborative environment and guiding my team towards success.
One of the most significant changes I've experienced is the limited time I have for hands-on coding. In my previous role as a software engineer, coding was my primary responsibility. I would spend hours writing, debugging, and refining code to create solutions to problems. However, as an engineering manager, my role has evolved to encompass much more than just coding.
Today, my days are filled with meetings, planning sessions, and one-on-one discussions with team members. I work to ensure that projects are on track, roadblocks are removed, and resources are allocated efficiently. This shift in focus has meant that the time I can dedicate to hands-on coding has dwindled.
Despite the decrease in hands-on coding time, I've come to realize that my impact as a manager extends far beyond writing code. By focusing on facilitating and organizing my team, I can enable them to do their best work. This includes providing mentorship, guidance, and support to help them grow both personally and professionally.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the opportunity to provide personal coaching and feedback to my team members. Through regular one-on-one meetings, I can understand their challenges, offer guidance, and celebrate their successes. These interactions not only help me stay connected to the technical aspects of our work but also allow me to build strong relationships with my team members.
In conclusion, while the transition from hands-on coding to team management has been a significant adjustment, it has also been incredibly rewarding. By focusing on facilitating and organizing my team, I can enable them to do their best work and achieve their goals. While I may have less time for hands-on coding, the impact I can have as a manager is far greater, making the transition well worth it.