How hands-on should an engineering manager be, and what do we lose or gain as we move away from the code? In this episode we dig into the messy middle between technical work, people leadership and the hunt for that spark that keeps us excited.

Using our own careers as the backdrop, we unpack what “hands-on” really means.

Is it code, system thinking, process, delivery, people, or all of it at once?

We talk about losing technical confidence, finding excitement again, navigating vulnerability, and working out when you’re still adding value… or just getting in the way.

And yes, unicycles somehow made it into the episode.

If this sparks any thoughts, tell us what you think about the episode or about being hands-on yourself. You can find us both on LinkedIn.

• 00:00 – Intro and what we mean by “hands-on”

• 01:23 – Code, contribution and confidence

• 04:35 – Technical work beyond coding

• 08:39 – Losing old skills and chasing excitement

• 11:54 – Enabling engineers and knowing who to bring in

• 18:51 – Vulnerability, updates and not knowing the detail

• 22:22 – Learning complexity over time

• 26:39 – EMs without engineering backgrounds

• 29:56 – Missing hands-on work and finding balance

• 31:52 – EM archetypes and where we fit

• 45:42 – Staying technical through side projects

• 48:03 – What we miss, what excites us and takeaways

• 53:46 – How to share feedback and keep the chat going

Pat Kua’s 5 Engineering Manager Archetypes: https://www.patkua.com/blog/5-engineering-manager-archetypes/

Simon Wardley - From here to there and back again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEjjCI3kTM4

Tell us what you think about the episode or about being hands-on yourself:

• Si on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sijobling

• Neil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilyounger

Created by Si Jobling and Neil Younger

Recorded and edited in Descript

Hosted on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube

Produced, artwork and publishing by Unstyled Studios

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