Strategies for Engineering Leaders - Transform Your Approach with Key Takeaways from Industry Titans and DuploCloud’s Game-Changing Solutions
Plato Elevate is the No-BS conference that brings together some of the leaders of the best engineering teams in the world. Sponsored by Plato, a Mentorship Platform for Engineering Managers, the two-day event focused on solving tangible engineering issues without the fluff. It provides support for those looking for guidance, networking, and professional development.
DuploCloud provided a CTO Insights board on Day Two of Plato Elevate, intending to tap into the experience and expertise of some of the best and brightest leaders in tech. We asked them to reflect on foundational advice to inspire success for current and future engineering leaders.
What emerged? A treasure trove of advice, a guide for those committed to leadership excellence, self-improvement, and teamwork. It's a roadmap for climbing and constructing career ladders, valuable for new and seasoned leaders alike. This event wasn't just about walking a path in tech leadership; it was about elevating it.
In short, we tried to distill the essence of leadership into actionable insights for today’s and tomorrow's leaders.
Creating Continuous Growth
In the realm of fostering continuous growth and innovation, one leader said: “There is no such thing as technical debt. It’s velocity debt.” Focusing on maintaining and pushing toward growth can often surpass any technical skill or knowledge. By prioritizing velocity, leaders can better leverage each team member's unique skills and abilities, contributing to a more dynamic and effective team performance.
“There is no such thing as technical debt. It’s velocity debt.”
Reimagining 'technical debt' as 'velocity debt' reframes the challenge: it's not just about managing technical issues but about continuously driving growth, leveraging team strengths, and fostering a culture that supports these aims.
Managing Yourself
When it comes to creating a fulfilling professional life, it is key to “work with people that you love.” Building strong relationships with people who push you to learn and whom you can trust will contribute to job satisfaction. In fact, choosing “culture over career” can make all the difference in your longevity in the field.
Tech is fast-paced. It can be stressful, and it can be isolating. If you want to last in a technical role you love, it is important to prioritize your mental health over money and never underestimate the power of burnout. Use your PTO!
Old adages like “focus on what you can control versus what you cannot” were also at the front of the minds of Elevate’s engineering leaders. In an increasingly complex field, decision-making and prioritization are often rapid-fire decisions that can lead to stress. Learning to focus on the decisions that matter most and that are in your direct purview can lessen stress and increase job satisfaction.
Working with Others
Once you start to manage others or small teams, it’s crucial to continue to lean on your teams. “Find and leverage the strengths of individuals on your teams. Empower them to apply those strengths daily, and your entire team will flourish.”
“Find and leverage the strengths of individuals on your teams. Empower them to apply those strengths daily, and your entire team will flourish.”
Logistically speaking, you will save yourself stress if you “templatize processes and teach the team to follow those to achieve autonomy.” Managing a team can provide relief in the busy tech world, but working with a structure and expectations will reduce stress for both you and your direct reports.
Personal Growth
When managing your day-to-day activities and responsibilities, consider a strategy that helps you to focus and become successful. “Time box for every activity. Focus on what you are solving and what tools you need for your team to be successful.” This type of focus will not only increase productivity, it may decrease burnout.
It is also critical to “learn from the scars of others.” If you can avoid making a mistake that’s already been made, you’ll save yourself both stress and time.
“Time box for every activity. Focus on what you are solving and what tools you need for your team to be successful.”
Focusing on your own growth in your career and as a person are critical to your success. It’s important to “have the courage of your convictions and to take the time to figure those out and stick to them. If you fail, you’ll know you stuck to your values, and you can learn and grow.”
Career Progression
When it comes to attaining that CTO role or moving up in your organization, advice about progression was: “If you are looking for a promotion, the most important thing to assess is the value you are bringing to the organization. Try to create enough value before having a conversation.” One of the leaders in attendance encouraged prospective engineering leaders to name and provide examples for their value before asking for a promotion.
"If you are looking for a promotion, the most important thing to assess is the value that you are bringing to the organization. Try to create enough value before having this conversation"
On last practical note, to progress from individual contributor to manager, another engineering leader suggested that new managers “be intentional and stick with it for a few years to experience the full breadth of the role.”
Empowering Tech Leaders with DuploCloud's Strategic Partnership
We’re happy to pass on words of wisdom from CTOs and engineering leaders from some of the top companies in the world such as Okta, Netflix, Gusto, and Yelp. DuploCloud’s goal aligns with the conference's vision: to empower engineering leaders with effective tools and strategies. DuploCloud's platform is crafted to simplify complex cloud infrastructure management, giving leaders back their time. This efficiency enables a focus on growth, team strengths, and cultural development, essential aspects highlighted at the conference.
In the ever-changing technology world, where every decision and minute counts, DuploCloud acts as a solution and strategic partner. Our automation and streamlining capabilities directly address the challenges discussed at Plato Elevate, such as reducing 'velocity debt' and enhancing team agility.
Connect with a DuploCloud solutions architect to explore how we can help you leverage the lessons of Plato Elevate, enhancing your leadership and operational efficiency in the tech world.
