Practical Guides for leaders at all levels

Podcast episodes & articles!

ai, Engineering Management, Engineering Leadership, Change, Managing Managers Lena Reinhard ai, Engineering Management, Engineering Leadership, Change, Managing Managers Lena Reinhard

What AI Can (and Can't) Do for Your Engineering Team (Beyond the Hype)

GenAI tools are changing what software engineers do day to day—but not in the ways most executives think. In this co-authored piece with Teal Bauer, we cut through the hype to examine what's actually happening: where these tools genuinely help, what humans still do better, and why many engineers are experiencing an identity crisis. Plus, tactical advice for engineering leaders navigating this transition with their teams over the next 30-60 days.

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Managing Up, Line Management, Managing Managers, C-Level Management, Communication, Accountability Lena Reinhard Managing Up, Line Management, Managing Managers, C-Level Management, Communication, Accountability Lena Reinhard

Managing up: The most important skill for Anyone who has a manager

For anyone who has a manager, learning to manage up is one of the most powerful skills you can develop. Whether you're just starting your career as an engineer or you're a seasoned leader, this guide will help you improve your relationship with your manager in a way that benefits both parties. Learn what managing up means, signs that you should do it more, how to do it well, and how to address common challenges.

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Communication, Managing Managers, Managing Up, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Line Management, Guide Lena Reinhard Communication, Managing Managers, Managing Up, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Line Management, Guide Lena Reinhard

Skip-Level Meetings: Common Pitfalls And How to Avoid Them

Skip-level meetings can be a a catalyst for positive change within your organization, but too often, common interpersonal dynamics get in the way of leaders and employees making the most of them. Learn what these common challenges are and how to address them, to unlock greater team alignment and make your skip-level one-to-ones useful for leaders and employees alike.

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Communication, Managing Managers, Managing Up, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Guide Lena Reinhard Communication, Managing Managers, Managing Up, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Guide Lena Reinhard

Effective Skip-Level Meetings: A Guide and Templates for Managers of Managers

Skip-level meetings offer direct communication between senior leaders and employees who report to middle managers. While they can be powerful tools for alignment and building trust, they can be awkward or ineffective if not conducted thoughtfully. This article offers a practical guide and templates for managers of managers to make these meetings beneficial for all involved.

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Communication, Managing Managers, Change, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, Line Management, Advice Lena Reinhard Communication, Managing Managers, Change, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, Line Management, Advice Lena Reinhard

Communicating Difficult Decisions: A Guide For Engineering Leaders with Q&A

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.

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Change, Managing Managers, Organizational Culture, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Guide Lena Reinhard Change, Managing Managers, Organizational Culture, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Guide Lena Reinhard

Recovering From Difficult Change: How to Empower Your Teams to Find Agency and Thrive

This article 3-step guide will help you support your teams in recovering from difficult organizational changes. It shows how to shift from control to empowerment, involve your leadership teams, and how to show up as a leader for your teams. This guide will help you foster a culture of empowerment to drive innovation and success during difficult transitions.

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Change, Managing Managers, Organizational Culture, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Opinion Lena Reinhard Change, Managing Managers, Organizational Culture, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Opinion Lena Reinhard

The Case Against “Motivational Leadership”: What Your Teams Need From You After Difficult Changes

Strategies for leaders guiding teams after tough changes like layoffs and reorganizations. We contrast high-control and high-empowerment approaches, and why you should resist the temptation of focusing on motivating your employees to process the change as quickly as possible, and what to do instead.

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Executive Leadership, Communication, Managing Managers, Strategy, C-Level Management, Guide Lena Reinhard Executive Leadership, Communication, Managing Managers, Strategy, C-Level Management, Guide Lena Reinhard

The Executive's Guide to Maximizing Middle Manager Potential

Your middle managers are more than just intermediaries between your leadership team and employees on the ground. Learn how to equip them with the context, ownership, and clarity they need, and you will not only empower them, but also enhance the overall productivity and morale of your entire organization.

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First Team, Managing Managers, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, Guide Lena Reinhard First Team, Managing Managers, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, Guide Lena Reinhard

How to Guide your Direct Reports to work as a “First Team”

Middle managers play a crucial role in fostering a "first team" approach among their direct reports, and doing so will help you elevate your role and your organization. Learn how to empower your leaders, build collaboration, and drive organizational change through the power of collective leadership.

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First Team, Managing Managers, Managing Up, Executive Leadership, Middle Management, Line Management, Guide Lena Reinhard First Team, Managing Managers, Managing Up, Executive Leadership, Middle Management, Line Management, Guide Lena Reinhard

How to work with your peer Leads as a “first team” and why it matters

Working as a "first team" with our peer leaders means that we prioritize our peers rather than focusing mainly on our direct reports. Read about how this approach can help you bridge departmental gaps, level up as a leader, and based on what signs you can tell if leaders are operating as a “first team.”

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Managing Managers, Communication, Accountability, Roles & Responsibilities, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Advice, Guide Lena Reinhard Managing Managers, Communication, Accountability, Roles & Responsibilities, Middle Management, Executive Leadership, C-Level Management, Advice, Guide Lena Reinhard

Everything you should do in your first three months as a first-time manager of managers

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.

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Managing Managers, Communication, Roles & Responsibilities, Advice, Middle Management, Executive Leadership Lena Reinhard Managing Managers, Communication, Roles & Responsibilities, Advice, Middle Management, Executive Leadership Lena Reinhard

Everything you should know when you become a manager of managers

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.

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