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Engineering Leadership Compass
orient yourself to the roles you'll play
This Compass is a tool to help you navigate the breadth of responsibilities that Software Engineering Leaders are expected to tackle, the roles you'll take on to tackle them, and the skills and behavioral traits you should develop to be effective.
Interact with the Compass to filter and explore these Product, People, and Process-focused roles that all exist to Build the Machine that Builds the Product.
PRODUCT
PEOPLE
PROCESS
.
Engineering Leadership Responsibilities
PRODUCT
- Deliver software.
- Balance features and fixes.
- Inspire engineers to build the product.
- Inspire users to champion the product.
PEOPLE
- Attract, retain, and grow talent.
- Structure and organize the team.
- Motivate and inspire the team.
PROCESS
- Deliver on time.
- Deliver on budget.
- Deliver with quality.
- Keep all stakeholders well-informed.
Engineering Leadership Roles
To help tackle the above 11 responsibilities, you may be required to inhabit one or more of the following roles. Expand each one for details.
Developer
Product-Centric Role
Writes, tests, and debugs code for software applications. They are responsible for turning the product manager's vision and the architect's design into functional software.
Common Hard Skills
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages relevant to their projects.
- Understanding of algorithms and data structures.
- Familiarity with version control systems, such as Git.
Common Responsibilities
- Must solve intricate coding challenges daily.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Creativity, Logical Intelligence.) - Needs to work well with others on their team and potentially cross-functionally.
(Requires strong Collaboration skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Has to articulate technical problems, solutions, and requirements effectively.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Linguistic Intelligence.) - Should balance coding, debugging, meetings, and more.
(Requires strong Time Management skills. Impacted by Drive.)
Product Manager + Owner
Product-Centric Role
Guides the development of a product, working with designers, developers, and other stakeholders to make strategic decisions about what features to build, when to build them, and how they should function.
Common Hard Skills
- Understanding of market analysis techniques and tools.
- Ability to define, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Familiarity with Agile methodologies and tools (like JIRA or Trello).
Common Responsibilities
- Should be able to form and communicate a compelling vision for the product or feature. Needs to articulate product goals and requirements clearly.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Vision, Linguistic Intelligence.) - Must work with developers, designers, marketing, sales, and more.
(Requires strong Collaboration skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Must balance the needs and wants of various stakeholders.
(Requires strong Negotiation + Conflict Resolution skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Has to solve product-related problems and make tough decisions.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Logical Intelligence.)
Designer
Product-Centric Role
Creates the visual elements of a software application, like the user interface. They are typically responsible for creating a great user experience by making software easy, efficient, and enjoyable to use.
Common Hard Skills
- Understanding of user experience (UX) principles and techniques.
- Proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, or Figma.
- Ability to create and work with design systems.
Common Responsibilities
- Must create a cohesive design vision for a product or feature, manifesting in effective and appealing designs that solve user experience and interface challenges.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Creativity, Vision, Logical Intelligence.) - Must explain their design choices effectively.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Linguistic Intelligence.) - Has to work with product managers, developers, and other designers.
(Requires strong Collaboration skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.)
Architect
Product-Centric Role
Develops and maintains the high-level design plan for the overall logical and technical IT architecture. They provide leadership and guidance to the development team to build systems according to the set framework.
Common Hard Skills
- Expertise in high-level system design and architecture.
- Proficiency in various architecture modeling and design tools.
- Understanding of various technology stacks and their trade-offs.
Common Responsibilities
- Must design high-level software solutions that meet various needs.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Creativity, Logical Intelligence.) - Should create and communicate a cohesive vision of the system's architecture, clearly articulating technical designs to various stakeholders.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Vision, Linguistic Intelligence.) - Has to work with technical leads, developers, and other architects.
(Requires strong Collaboration skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Must balance various concerns and requirements to arrive at optimal solutions.
(Requires strong Negotiation + Conflict Resolution skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.)
Technical Lead
Product-Centric Role
Guides the technical direction of a team or project. This typically involves designing technical solutions, writing code, reviewing others' code, debugging, and collaborating with other stakeholders like product managers and designers.
Common Hard Skills
- Advanced programming skills in the languages and frameworks used by their team.
- Software architecture and system design skills.
- Code review and debugging techniques.
Common Responsibilities
- Needs to clearly express technical decisions and explain them to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence, Linguistic Intelligence.) - Has to be adept at diagnosing and resolving complex software problems.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Creativity, Logical Intelligence.) - Must work effectively with developers, architects, and other stakeholders.
(Requires strong Collaboration skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Should be able to juggle multiple responsibilities and deadlines
(Requires strong Time Management skills. Impacted by Drive.) - Needs to inspire the team to follow their technical direction.
(Requires strong Motivation + Inspiration skills. Impacted by Vision, Drive.)
Evangelist
Product / People-Centric Role
Promotes a product, technology, or platform with the goal of increasing its adoption. This often involves speaking at conferences, writing blog posts, and networking with potential users or customers.
Common Hard Skills
- Deep knowledge of the product, platform, or technology they're promoting.
- Ability to create compelling content, such as blog posts or demo videos.
- Public speaking skills and ability to deliver effective presentations.
Common Responsibilities
- Must be able to effectively communicate the value of their product or technology to various audiences.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Linguistic Intelligence.) - Has to connect with people and build relationships in the industry.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Should find new and innovative ways to promote the product or technology.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Creativity.) - Should inspire others to use or adopt the product or technology they're evangelizing.
(Requires strong Motivation + Inspiration skills. Impacted by Vision, Drive.) - Must manage partnerships and collaborations effectively.
(Requires strong Negotiation + Conflict Resolution skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.)
People Manager
People-Centric Role
Manages a team of employees, handling tasks like performance reviews, conflict resolution, and career development.
Common Hard Skills
- Understanding of performance management and employee development techniques.
- Familiarity with HR systems and processes.
- Knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
Common Responsibilities
- Has to understand and manage a range of different personalities and work styles.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Must effectively communicate expectations, feedback, and strategic information.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Linguistic Intelligence.) - Should inspire their team and keep morale high.
(Requires strong Motivation + Inspiration skills. Impacted by Vision, Drive.) - Needs to manage and resolve any disputes or disagreements within the team.
(Requires strong Negotiation + Conflict Resolution skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Must juggle their own responsibilities along with the needs of their team .
(Requires strong Time Management skills. Impacted by Drive.)
Technical Trainer
People-Centric Role
Educates others about a particular technology or software application. This might involve conducting workshops, creating educational materials, or one-on-one coaching.
Common Hard Skills
- Deep expertise in the technology or software they're teaching.
- Familiarity with training techniques and tools.
- Ability to create educational materials, such as slide decks and handouts.
Common Responsibilities
- Has to clearly and effectively teach complex technical concepts.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Linguistic Intelligence.) - Needs to understand the learning needs and styles of different individuals.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Should inspire learners to engage deeply with the material.
(Requires strong Motivation + Inspiration skills. Impacted by Drive.) - Must adapt their teaching approach to different audiences or environments.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Logical Intelligence.) - Has to manage the pace of instruction and ensure all material is covered .
(Requires strong Time Management skills. Impacted by Drive.)
Mentor
People-Centric Role
Offers advice and guidance to less experienced individuals, helping them grow professionally. They might provide insights about technical problems, career development, or workplace challenges.
Common Hard Skills
- Deep expertise in their field, providing credibility and a wealth of experiences to draw on.
- Familiarity with coaching and mentoring techniques.
- Ability to provide constructive feedback.
Common Responsibilities
- Has to connect with mentees to understand their needs and challenges, then effectively convey advice and guidance, embodying the values and behaviors they promote.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Vision, Interpersonal Intelligence, Linguistic Intelligence.) - Should inspire mentees to grow and improve.
(Requires strong Motivation + Inspiration skills. Impacted by Vision, Drive.) - Needs to help mentees work through their own professional challenges.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Logical Intelligence.)
Recruiter + Hiring Manager
People / Process-Centric Role
Finds, interviews, and hires new employees. They are responsible for assessing candidates' skills and cultural fit, and convincing the best candidates to join the company.
Common Hard Skills
- Ability to assess technical skills and cultural fit during interviews.
- Understanding of job market trends and salary benchmarks.
- Proficiency in recruitment tools and platforms, like LinkedIn Recruiter or Applicant Tracking Systems.
Common Responsibilities
- Must understand and assess a wide range of candidates, while effectively selling the company and role to these potential hires.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence, Linguistic Intelligence.) - Should negotiate offers and terms with candidates.
(Requires strong Negotiation + Conflict Resolution skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Must balance a multitude of responsibilities, including interviews, evaluations, and communications.
(Requires strong Time Management skills. Impacted by Drive.) - Needs to evaluate candidates and make hiring decisions.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Logical Intelligence.)
Project Manager
Process-Centric Role
Oversees the completion of a project, making sure it is finished on time, within budget, and to the stakeholders' satisfaction. They plan the project, coordinate the team, and manage any issues that arise.
Common Hard Skills
- Ability to create and manage project plans, timelines, and risk assessments.
- Understanding of budgeting and resource allocation.
- Familiarity with project management methodologies (like Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall) and tools (like JIRA, Asana, or MS Project).
Common Responsibilities
- Must manage project timelines and ensure milestones are met.
(Requires strong Time Management skills. Impacted by Drive.) - Has to coordinate between various stakeholders and keep everyone updated on progress.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Linguistic Intelligence.) - Should anticipate and address potential obstacles to project completion.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Logical Intelligence.) - Needs to facilitate effective teamwork and delegate tasks appropriately.
(Requires strong Collaboration skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - May need to resolve disputes that arise during the project lifecycle.
(Requires strong Negotiation + Conflict Resolution skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.)
Process Improvement Manager
Process-Centric Role
Analyzes existing processes to identify areas for improvement, then develops and implements solutions. They strive to make processes more efficient, effective, and flexible.
Common Hard Skills
- Understanding of process analysis and improvement methodologies (like Lean or Six Sigma).
- Familiarity with process mapping tools.
- Ability to conduct quantitative analysis and create performance metrics.
Common Responsibilities
- Has to identify areas for improvement and develop effective solutions.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Creativity, Logical Intelligence.) - Must clearly communicate changes and their benefits to all stakeholders.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Linguistic Intelligence.) - Must navigate and manage potential resistance to changes, seeking compromises when necessary.
(Requires strong Negotiation + Conflict Resolution skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Should create and communicate a clear vision for how the improved processes will benefit the organization.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Vision, Linguistic Intelligence.)
Delivery Lead
Product / Process-Centric Role
Focuses on ensuring that the team is able to work as efficiently as possible. Eliminates blockers, manages stakeholders, and coordinates with other teams or departments. They are also often responsible for ensuring that the products are delivered on time, within budget, and to the agreed quality.
Common Hard Skills
- Familiarity with project management methodologies (like Agile, Scrum, Waterfall) and tools (like JIRA, Asana, MS Project).
- Ability to create and manage delivery plans, timelines, and risk assessments.
- Understanding of budgeting and resource allocation tools and practices.
Common Responsibilities
- Must keep the delivery timeline on track and manage expectations about when tasks will be completed.
(Requires strong Time Management skills. Impacted by Drive.) - Has to effectively liaise between the team and stakeholders, ensuring everyone has the information they need.
(Requires strong Communication skills. Impacted by Linguistic Intelligence.) - Needs to foster effective teamwork and facilitate inter-team coordination.
(Requires strong Collaboration skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.) - Should anticipate, identify, and address potential obstacles to delivery.
(Requires strong Critical Thinking + Problem Solving skills. Impacted by Logical Intelligence.) - May need to mediate disputes and facilitate constructive dialogue within teams and between teams and stakeholders.
(Requires strong Negotiation + Conflict Resolution skills. Impacted by Interpersonal Intelligence.)
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