+++ title = "How do you develop and support your engineers in challenging situations (e.g huge team/ remote team/ different timezones/ main focus on project delivery, etc)" date = 2024-09-15 +++ # How to Develop and Support Engineers in Challenging Situations Hi everyone! As a new Engineering Manager (EM), I’ve spent a lot of time learning from this incredible community. The shared knowledge and experiences have been invaluable, and I truly appreciate having a space where EMs can connect and grow together. Today, I want to dive into an important topic: how to support our engineers in challenging situations, especially when the focus is heavily on project delivery. ## The Current Landscape: Wartime Mode Recently, our company has shifted into what I would describe as "wartime mode." Leadership is placing immense stress on project delivery, which, while essential for business survival, often leads to a neglect of engineer development. My peers and I find ourselves acting more like Project Managers than Engineering Managers. We’re inundated with tracking delivery metrics and identifying roadblocks, leaving little time to focus on the growth and development of our engineers. Our dashboards and spreadsheets are constantly updated, and we’re always monitoring Slack for project updates. While these tools are necessary, I firmly believe that investing in our people yields the highest return on investment. ## The Challenge of Remote Teams Managing a remote team adds an additional layer of complexity to this situation. One comment from a fellow EM resonated with me: “Creating an environment for serendipity and cross-pollination is crucial.” In a remote setting, we have to engineer these interactions that naturally occur in an office space. ### The Importance of Over-Communication Promoting over-communication is essential. Instead of relying on one-on-one direct messages, we should encourage the use of group chats. This allows for open conversations where others can join and contribute, reducing the risk of miscommunication. The “broken telephone” effect can lead to missed opportunities for collaboration, so it’s vital to create an environment where questions and discussions can happen freely. To facilitate this, we must foster a cultural shift where group chats aren’t seen as surveillance tools but rather as collaborative spaces. This involves setting expectations around asynchronous communication, so team members understand that replies don’t need to be immediate. ### Structuring Communication Effectively When managing larger teams, it’s crucial to create focused channels. As one EM pointed out, chats with more than nine people can become overwhelming. By organizing these conversations and teaching team members how to manage notifications effectively, we can create a productive communication environment. Having a roadmap visible to everyone also helps. Recently, I discovered [linear.app](http://linear.app), which provides a Gantt chart view of all projects. This tool allows teams to prioritize tasks without losing sight of the bigger picture, ultimately boosting morale and confidence. ### Managing Time Zones In a remote team spread across different time zones, efficient management is essential. One innovative solution shared by an EM was the development of a custom app to handle multiple time zones, accounting for daylight savings and other factors. For those looking for tools, consider checking out: - iOS: [timemastertools.com](https://timemastertools.com/) - Mac: [worldclock.pro](http://worldclock.pro) ## Reframing Growth in Wartime Circumstances Despite the stress of project delivery, we can reframe growth opportunities in these challenging conditions. Hands-on experience gained during high-pressure situations can be more impactful than any training, book, or video. An EM shared insights from their recent article on wartime leadership, which provides additional strategies for leading teams during crises. You can read it here: [Wartime Leadership](https://peterszasz.com/how-to-lead-your-team-when-the-house-is-on-fire/). ## The Remote Advantage Another perspective worth noting is that remote teams can operate just as effectively as in-person teams. The core of our work—seeing, hearing, and talking to people—remains unchanged. Remote work shouldn’t alter our approach; instead, it presents an opportunity to innovate our management styles. ## Conclusion As Engineering Managers, we must navigate the complexities of project delivery while investing in the growth of our engineers. By fostering open communication, creating structured environments, managing time zones effectively, and reframing growth opportunities, we can support our teams even in challenging situations. I’d love to hear about your challenges and approaches in similar scenarios. How do you keep the pulse on your engineers and provide personalized growth opportunities? Let’s continue to learn from one another and elevate our teams together! Thank you for being such a supportive community!

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