This Site

Engineers tend to think in a particular way. Here are some things we like:

  • Process
  • Logic
  • Meritocracy
  • Being good at what we do

We might be awesome coders / designers / architects / or whatever, but if we haven't done management before, it probably seems like this:

  • No rules defining what's going on
  • Sometimes illogical
  • Probably not meritocratic. Why did Bob get promoted when he's such an ass?
  • Something we just don't know anything about.

... and if we're asked to do it, we want to be good at it. The aim of this site is to help, and to do so in plain english.

The Author

I'm glad you're reading this part - I hope that you're asking whether I actually know anything about the things I'm talking about. You might judge some of that from my background.

I hate long, ass-kissing bios, so I'll try to put only the relevant stuff here.

I'm British. I have a masters in Engineering and CS. I worked during college as a computer engineer. I joined a large FMCG company in London, where I did a whole bunch of different types of engineering. Eventually I put on a suit, cut my hair and became a product manager.

Like Vonnegut, I consider myself a half-assed engineer - I wasn't writing compilers or Linux drivers or anything actually hard. But I was working at a very large, very old company that contained a lot of politics, and that experience stuck with me.

After that, I left to do an MBA at the Kellogg School of Management. I mention that because the school is full of people who promote a management style that's less about balls-out aggression, and more about actually having a fulfilling life. I think that's a sensible goal, and that's why some of their teachings are reflected here.

Why am I telling you all this? Because a lot of what you read here is coloured by opinion and experience. I hope that's clear.

Your turn

I hope that I never grow arrogant enough to assume that I'm completely correct. So, if you have any feedback or opinions you'd like to share, please do get in touch with me via the contact form on this site. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.