Refactoring Podcast How to Manage Humans 🎽 — with Rands
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May 30, 2025 Michael Lopp, known as Rands, is a Senior Director at Apple and an author renowned for his insights on engineering management. He dives into his writing journey and how it shaped his approach to leadership. Discussing modern engineering challenges, Rands emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills over technical prowess. He also highlights the mentoring of new managers and the balance required in integrating AI while preserving essential human interactions. A fascinating reflection on the chaos and complexity of managing teams in today's tech landscape!
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The Harsh Learning Curve
- Lopp recalls terrible early mistakes managing people with no training, which motivated his writing to help others.
- Many managers face a steep learning curve since leadership training is often lacking.
Mentorship for New Managers
- New managers need mentors they can trust for real-time guidance and feedback.
- Having a mentor helps navigate early management challenges and course correct mistakes.
Give Early Constructive Feedback
- Give feedback early to nip problems in the bud rather than waiting for crises.
- Practice delivering feedback even when it feels uncomfortable; it's key to healthy team development.
