Essential Leadership Wisdom for Engineering Managers – Practical Insights from Industry Experts
About the Book

97 Things Every Engineering Manager Should Know is your essential companion for navigating the complex world of engineering leadership. This compilation brings together hard-earned insights from experienced managers, CTOs, and tech leaders who’ve been in your shoes. Each contribution offers a focused perspective on critical aspects of management—from hiring and performance reviews to building trust and fostering innovation. This isn’t theory; it’s real-world advice that addresses the daily challenges engineering managers face in fast-paced technology environments.

About the Author

Published by O’Reilly Media, this book features contributions from a diverse group of engineering leaders across various industries and company sizes. O’Reilly has been the trusted source for technology professionals for decades, consistently delivering content that bridges the gap between technical expertise and practical application. The contributors include VPs of Engineering, CTOs, team leads, and seasoned managers who share their most valuable lessons learned through years of experience.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is perfect for new engineering managers making the transition from individual contributor to leader, experienced managers looking to refine their approach, and technical leads preparing for management responsibilities. If you’re responsible for guiding engineering teams, making technical decisions with business impact, or simply want to understand what great engineering leadership looks like, this collection provides invaluable perspective. It’s also ideal for senior engineers considering a management path who want to understand what the role truly entails.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is this book suitable for first-time engineering managers?
Absolutely. The book specifically addresses common challenges new managers face, including transitioning from individual contributor, earning team trust, and balancing technical work with leadership responsibilities. Many contributions focus on foundational management principles perfect for those starting their leadership journey.

Q: How is this book structured—can I read it in any order?
Yes, each of the 97 contributions is a standalone piece of 2–3 pages. You can read cover to cover or jump to topics that address your immediate needs, whether that’s hiring, performance management, technical decision-making, or team building.

Q: What makes this different from other engineering management books?
Instead of one perspective, you get 97 different voices and experiences from real engineering leaders. This diversity means you’ll find advice that fits your specific context, company culture, and management style. It’s practical, not prescriptive—offering multiple approaches to common challenges.

Q: Does this book cover remote and distributed team management?
Yes, contributors address modern management challenges including remote work dynamics, asynchronous communication, building culture across locations, and maintaining team cohesion in distributed environments—increasingly critical skills for today’s engineering managers.

Q: Will this help me decide if engineering management is the right career path?
Definitely. The book provides an honest look at what engineering management truly involves—the rewards, challenges, and mindset shifts required. It’s an excellent resource for engineers considering the transition who want to understand the reality beyond the job title.