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Ask HN: Resources for transitioning from development to management?

31 points by Carrok ↗ HN
I recently found myself in charge of a small development team, and am realizing I have no idea what I'm doing. I've been a freelancer for years, built an MVP, partnered with some co-founders, raised some funding, and now I've found myself in a leadership role.

I've never had to manage people before, and while we tried to hire people we thought could be self-managing, of course that's never really the case.

So I was hoping some of you might be able to point me in the direction of some resources that can help me learn how to transition into being able to manage a team effectively.

Code is so much easier than people..

12 comments

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_the_inflator
Camille Fournier - The Manager's Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change

This is a great ressource to guide you through your journey from dev to team lead, senior team lead and even CTO.

Pretty accurate description from someone who also started out as a dev.

I can relate to his experience. Once a dev I am now head of development overseeing 130+ people.

_RPM
Wow, my first real experience of the Echo Chamber. I was just about to echo this title since I read the HN user's recommendation to read it. I bought it that night, and have just started reading it.
jghn
I'm early on in that journey but I still pull it out repeatedly to reread sections, refresh my memory, etc. I'm a big fan
itamarst
"her experience", not "his experience", if you're referring to the author.
garethsprice
- The Camille Fournier book is excellent in a surprisingly thin field of tech-management specific books

- Mythical Man Month - old but great

- How to Win Friends and Influence People (the "in the digital age" update of this classic is solid)

I'm 5 years into a shift to management. It doesn't get easier on a curve like programming does and there's a limit to what you can do with book knowledge and systems thinking. People will always be complex, nuanced, unique individuals. However, your ability to recognize situations and manage people with tact and empathy improves greatly over time.

Enjoy the journey, it's such a different skillset to programming!

indescions_2017
Self-discipline. Leaders naturally stand out from the pack. Becoming the best version of yourself, in fitness, mental acuity, and grace under pressure is the first step in earning the respect of your team. It's also a consequence of taking your newfound responsibilities seriously. Cultivate that striving for excellence in all aspects of your living.

Case method. The vast repository of business history and strategic decision making forms the archival data set from which most academic management theory draws. It's also the basis of the shared language that elite managers speak. You can get access via HBX Online:

http://hbx.hbs.edu/

I recall when I was just getting started in gamedev. I got my IGDA membership and a free (print!) subscription to the monthly magazine. In each issue was a feature called the "Postmortem" in which a company exec was tasked with listing 5 things that went right with their launch, and five things that went wrong. I learned so much from the "wrongs" lists its uncanny. The importance of the digital asset pipeline. How to remove bottlenecks between the nodes. IP licensing snafus. Negotiating contract minutiae with publishers. How to cultivate unorthodox revenue streams. As well as a thousand (failing) methods for avoiding the (inevitable) crunch time.

Network. How great would it be if you could just call up Patrick Collison, Brian Chesky or Justin Kan any time you you found yourself stumped by a seemingly intractable problem? No one is doing it alone. Conferences are one way to branch out. But the power of a "warm email" should not be overlooked.

You can do it, Carrok. I believe in you ;)

throwmeaway32
Goodreads:-

'Debugging Teams' - http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920042372.do

'Managing Humans' - https://www.amazon.ca/Managing-Humans-Humorous-Software-Engi...

zhte415
manager-tools.com
rejschaap
I feel the manager tools framework is quite good. I started with the podcasts about one-on-ones. I do feel that there is a lot of fluff in some of the podcasts and some could be much shorter. Also, because the huge amount of podcasts it can be difficult to choose your path. In that case the book is pretty good, especially if you combine it with a selection of podcasts that are relevant to your situation.

I have also seen Radical Candor recommended by some and have read the book. Personally I feel Manager Tools gives you more handles to get started. Although the concepts behind the frameworks are similar.

Anyway, I would give the podcasts on one-on-ones a try. There is also an app that tries to make navigating the podcasts easier.

rafiki6
What do you think you are lacking? Do you have any leaders you admire? Why? What would YOU like in a manager or a leader? Books are good, but management is mostly common sense and not being a prick to your people. Don't buy too much into the management hype. Be empathetic. And remember your number one priority as a manager is to make sure those who work with you (not for you, WITH you) are well resourced to do their jobs and their opinions are heard and respected. Otherwise don't hire them.