Total Honesty and High Levels of Communications

• Open feedback loop
• I’ll give you feedback (Usually one on one)
• Celebrate wins no matter how small
• I expect feedback on my performance, if there is something you think I’m not doing, please tell me

I Manage Adults

• Conflicts with teammates should try to be handled between you and your teammates first before coming to me (this doesn’t apply conflicts that would involve HR. Tell me about this right away)
• I’m not going to micromanage. If you need help, let me know right away. Don’t let things go on without a path to resolution

Work-Life balance

• Everyone’s schedule doesn’t work on a 9 - 5. I run my team with core hours. This is usually a five hour block of the day that the team agrees that all members will be reachable
• I will monitor your PTO to make sure that you actually take it. Everyone deserves and needs time off. I don’t want you to burn out.

When it comes to work, we don’t say no

• Saying ‘no’ to an ask, puts people on the defensive
• We address these things by saying:
  • Something is not technically viable, meaning the use case can’t be accomplished due to limitations on the technology (latency, computing power, storage)
  • Something is not viable from a business perspective (too expensive, will not be able to be accomplished given the time or resources, against company guidelines )
  • Something is not viable given the law

I’m an Engineering Manager, I don’t manage engineers

• My main purpose is to unblock you with the work you’re trying to accomplish
• I approach things from an engineering standpoint
• I’m going to be your biggest advocate
• I’m here to help you advance your career even if that means having you leave my team or the company
• I love doing cool and interesting things and I want you to work on cool and interesting things