My journey to become a Jedi Manager

I have been asked this question in all interviews for roles that have lead, mentor and coach other engineers or stakeholders. The only place I haven't been asked this question was at a startup where I was supposed to manage engineers. One of the main reasons that it wasn't asked is that the Engineering Manager role is not well defined there. I had to learn this fact in a painful way at the end. So what are the different leadership styles for a manager? There might be more but I have come across the following basic ones Leadership is an important aspect of any organization or society. Leaders are responsible for guiding their followers towards a common goal or objective. There are many different leadership styles, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this blog, we will explore some of the different leadership styles, with instances from mythology. Autocratic Leadership Autocratic leadership is a style in which the leader makes all decisions without input from ...

Recruiting and hiring employees is an important aspect of any organization. Companies strive to attract the best talent, but it's not always easy to understand what motivates potential candidates. One way to better understand what candidates are looking for in a job is to use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a framework. This theory describes the five basic human needs that motivate behavior, including physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs. In this blog, we will explore how Maslow's hierarchy of needs can be used in recruiting, with instances from mythology. Physiological Needs The first level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs includes physiological needs such as food, water, and shelter. In mythology, we see examples of characters who prioritize their physiological needs, such as Odysseus in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. After being stranded on an island, Odysseus and his men struggle to find food an...

1:1 meetings, also known as one-on-one meetings or individual meetings, are meetings between two people, typically a manager and an employee or a supervisor and a direct report. They are a way for managers to check in with their employees, provide support, discuss goals and progress, and address any concerns or issues. For managers to make 1:1 meeting effective from time perspective, the focus should be on psychological safety, benefit and effort. Here are some tips for conducting effective 1:1 meetings: Throughout history, myths and legends have been used to teach us about important lessons and values. From tales of bravery to stories of wisdom, myths have provided us with guidance and insight into various aspects of life. One area where myths can provide valuable lessons is in the realm of leadership and communication. Specifically, many ancient myths can teach us about how to conduct effective one-on-one meetings. In this blog, we will explore some of these myths and what they ...

Recruiting the right talent is essential for any organization. Whether you're building a startup, expanding your team, or looking for specific skills, finding the right people can be a challenging task. In this blog, I will explore how various mythological stories can offer insights into recruiting the right talent and some techniques to start talent recruitment hustle for engineering teams. The Odyssey and the Power of Networking One of the most famous stories from Greek mythology is The Odyssey, an epic poem that recounts the journey of Odysseus, a hero who embarks on a perilous journey home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus is a remarkable hero in his own right, he also succeeds thanks to the help of allies and friends he makes along the way. In recruiting, networking is one of the most important tools you can use to find the right talent. Whether you attend industry events, reach out to past colleagues or use online platforms like LinkedIn, building a network of contact...

Effective communication is crucial to the success of any team or organization. But it can be difficult to strike a balance between being honest and direct, while also showing empathy and respect for others. That's where the concept of Radical Candor comes in. What is Radical Candor? Radical candor is a term coined by Kim Scott, a former executive at Google and Apple, which refers to a management technique that involves honest, direct feedback delivered with compassion and empathy. The philosophy of radical candor encourages leaders to be truthful in their communication, while also being mindful of the feelings of others. In this blog, we will explore the concept of radical candor and its relevance to the epic Mahabharata. Original source https://www.radicalcandor.com/our-approach/ Radical candor is a leadership philosophy that emphasizes honesty and transparency. It is about being direct and candid with your employees, but also showing that you care about them as people. Ra...