I explore the three leadership traits that are often deemed crucial for leaders in tech: Driving innovation, getting things done, and being authentic. I examine each of those and show how they’ve been used to gloss over problematic consequences for individuals, our industry, and beyond. I also share many practical tips for leaders dealing with these issues.

Managing your CV is one of the most powerful skill sets that any job seeker can develop. It's also an often-overlooked skill, but can make a huge difference in how you experience your job search and how your professional background is perceived by potential employers. Whether you're just starting your career or you're a seasoned leader, this guide is designed to help you navigate the CV creation process in a way that benefits both parties.

No one wants to be micromanaged, and no one wants to be told they are a micromanager. The word has negative connotations, and usually, it’s for good reason. But there's more to micromanagement than just power and control—it’s a complex issue that often stems from deeper challenges.

Product teams and engineering teams tend to have rocky relationships. Why is this? They’re working toward the same goal, at least they are in theory, so what is the reason for their misalignment? In organizations with product and engineering teams that work together in harmony, what is their secret to success?

How do you respond when your boss or board asks “What's our AI strategy?” In this episode, Lena Reinhard talks with Daniel Paulus, VP of Engineering at Checkly, about developing a pragmatic approach to AI initiatives that creates real value while avoiding the pitfalls of hype-driven development. Daniel shares his experience leading AI initiatives and provides actionable insights for engineering leaders.

In today’s tech landscape, it isn’t enough to be good at what you do. You also have to make it clear to your organization how you’re contributing to its bottom line. Communicating the business impact of engineering investments is important for decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring your company knows you’re indispensable if they decide to have another round of layoffs. In this episode, Lena and Amani discuss the importance of understanding the business impact of engineering work, and how to get it.

As an engineering leader, one of your key responsibilities is to navigate and guide your team through the uncertainty that often comes with new projects and goals. You are to ensure your team has the information they need to do the work that needs to be done. What, then, if you’ve gone to great lengths to bring clarity to your team, only to realize you’ve reduced ambiguity so much that there is no engaging challenge, no room for creative problem-solving? You'll walk away with actionable strategies for shifting your focus from constantly driving for clarity to helping your team embrace and thrive in ambiguous environments.

Do you want to handle difficult conversations better? Are you clashing with higher-ups who can’t seem to get on the same page? Is your team not receptive to change? Here are questions from leaders and my answers for when you have to communicate a decision you disagree with.

Pragmatism is a critical skill for engineers moving to more senior levels. Learn how balancing pragmatism and idealism can elevate your team's effectiveness, and practical tips to cultivate a culture of pragmatic decision-making, understanding economic implications, and managing capacity wisely.

Master the art of annual planning for your engineering organization. Use the steps in this article to create a strategy that helps you hit the ground running, embrace flexibility, and involve your teams for alignment. And: Get a FREE planning template!

Are your engineering metrics doing more harm than good? Metrics aren't just numbers; they shape behavior and define culture. Choosing the right metrics can empower your team and drive performance. Learn how to set balanced, effective metrics that don't just measure, but also matter.

The topic of confidence at work is tricky - many of us want to feel more confident, but here’s the thing: Doing more, or developing more skills and experience won’t actually help you get there. So how is confidence actually built, and what you can do to feel more confident at work?

Hiring is mission-critical, yet most leaders treat it as an afterthought. Learn about the 15 most common startup hiring mistakes, and offer some tips for how to fix them. By the end, you’ll know how to hire in a way that supports growth and maximizes the impact of your teams.

In my work, I’ve seen many early-stage startups make similar mistakes as they start to hire for scale. In this article you’ll learn how to identify warning signs and avoid the common traps startups often fall into when scaling. 

One of the biggest inflection points leaders face in this time is going from directly running their teams and operations, to a point where, in order to scale, effective systems will need to be put in place. Here are five things you should consider when deciding to hire new leaders.

A step-by-step guide to your first role as a manager of managers with lots of practical tips and templates! Includes topics like managing your time, your boss, and your new teams, how to get confidence in your teams, and how to feel successful in your new role.

Moving from being a manager of individuals to managing managers is a huge step. Learn what to expect and prepare for when you move to managing managers, and how to adapt your mindset.

Books, newsletters, and other resources that I have found useful in my career as a manager and executive and that are great for anyone starting out or advancing their career in management.