On a ride back to the city, I started a conversation with my Uber driver. He mentioned he’d been driving for a couple weeks. He’s taking a short break after 20 years of working. He shared he received an MBA and went on to manage a team at a company which resold products on Amazon. […]

One of my favorite classes from college was Business Management for Engineers. I worked with my engineering cohort to solve business problems. We analyzed Harvard Business School case studies to understand pricing and accounting. We worked together as if we were in a strategic role. Pretend you were the CEO Michael Dell. Would you pick lithium-ion […]

“How is it being an engineering manager?” I froze. I get this question at least once a week. The engineer was curious about management. I didn’t know what to say and stared past him through the windows. I wished the waters in the distance could help improvise a response. Nothing. I couldn’t voice an opinion […]

Once in a blue moon you will have a day where every system is humming along. You have no priority zero fire to jump on. The team is working on projects with no known blockers. Your product manager has no requests. Cherish that day. I recommend getting a cup of coffee and sitting by the […]

You haven’t taken a vacation in five years. As a responsible person, you announce your vacation two months in advance. You ensured projects will run without you while you’re out for two days in Portland, Oregon. You’ll also be in a hotel downtown and your phone has reception. When you send your long email about your […]