I have been a backend Software Engineer for almost 5 years. I have been looking at my peers and seniors (Lead & Principals) and I think I will never make it to Principal. I love technology and backend systems in general but I don't have the skill to design a high-performant backend infrastructure and I lack the discipline of thorough thinking. I know that I will never get there. I can manage with existing code-base and make add-ons but coming up with brand new design is not something that I can do. Now, I have been toying with the idea of moving to Engineering Management. Mainly because I love driving projects and making things happen by working with people from different teams. I have done this many times in different places but never as an Engineering Manager. I feel motivated by leading a team and standing for what is right. But few things concerns me.. I am not alpha male. I like to just focus on my work and not play petty politics. I am not aggressive. I believe in leading team with respect even when we don't agree. I am 60 % idealist and 40 % Practical. I don't understand the implicit stuff as easily as explicit words/actions (could be because of my Engineer background). I cannot stand an asshole boss/colleague but I can easily work with a difficult but reasonable ones. Something tells me this could be a red flag. I can continue being a SMTS Engineer for the rest of my life or dip my toe in Engineering Mgmt and see how I like it. What characteristics would you say are must have to be a great Engineering Manager? #google #linkedin #salesforce #amazon #facebook #netflix #hashicorp
If u need more money, u have to either suck it up to politics nd become EM Else work on ur skills, take course become better nd go into principal direction
Did you ended up moving to Manager? I recently did the switch, and I am not happy about it. Dealing with people is stressful, i am realizing that manage their performance and coch and motivate and all that, is a lot of work, Wich i am not enjoying.
No I did not. I am not ready to deal with people. Also I believe if you still have itch to grow technically you cannot focus on being a good manager.. hate to say it seems like when you decide you become manager.. you need to be ready for the challenge and ready to do the Boring stuff
Are you still in salesforce ? Are you LMTS now? SMTS?
Following this thread. Similar position but I can design and build scalable systems. Looking to break into EM.