Congratulations on your new role as an engineering manager! The first ninety days are crucial for setting the stage for your leadership and team success. Follow this step-by-step guide to navigate this critical period with confidence and effectiveness.

Week 1-2: Understand the Landscape

1. Shadowing and Observation: Spend time shadowing your predecessor or team members to gain insights into current workflows, projects, and team dynamics.

2. One-on-One Meetings: Schedule individual meetings with each team member to introduce yourself, learn about their backgrounds, strengths, and aspirations, and understand their perspectives on team strengths and challenges.

Week 3-4: Define Your Leadership Style

3. Self-Assessment: Reflect on your leadership strengths and weaknesses. Identify areas where you excel and areas where you could improve.

4. Leadership Style Definition: Clearly define your leadership style. Are you collaborative, directive, or a mix of both? Communicate your style to the team to set expectations.

Week 5-6: Build Relationships

5. Team Bonding: Organize team-building activities to foster rapport and collaboration. Activities could range from informal lunches to team outings.

6. Cross-Functional Connections: Initiate meetings with peers from other departments, such as product management and design, to establish collaborative relationships and understand their goals and challenges.

Week 7-8: Assess and Strategize

7. Team Assessment: Evaluate the team’s technical skills, workflow efficiency, and collaboration dynamics. Identify strengths and areas for improvement.

8. Goal Setting: Collaborate with your team to set clear and SMART goals for the upcoming months. Ensure everyone understands their role in achieving these objectives.

Week 9-10: Communication and Transparency

9. Communication Channels: Establish regular communication channels such as weekly team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and feedback sessions.

10. Transparency: Share the reasoning behind decisions, both successes and challenges, to build trust and keep the team informed about the larger context.

Week 11-12: Manage Challenges

11. Conflict Resolution: If conflicts arise, address them promptly and professionally. Act as a mediator, encourage open dialogue, and find mutually agreeable solutions.

12. Problem-Solving: Approach technical challenges and bottlenecks with a problem-solving mindset. Collaborate with your team to develop effective solutions.

Week 13-14: Investing in Growth

13. Professional Development: Identify areas for your own growth as a manager. Attend leadership workshops, read relevant literature, and seek mentorship or coaching.

14. Team Development: Set up one-on-one meetings to discuss individual growth plans with your team members. Offer guidance to help them achieve their career aspirations.

Week 15-16: Celebrate Wins and Milestones

15. Acknowledge Achievements: Celebrate both small wins and significant project completions. Recognize team efforts and contributions.

16. Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement to encourage a culture of continuous improvement and hard work.

Week 17-18: Balancing Urgency and Patience

17. Prioritization: Prioritize tasks and initiatives based on their impact and urgency. Focus on the ones that align with team goals and company objectives.

18. Patience: Recognize that change takes time. While pushing for progress, also give the team the space they need to adjust and adapt to new dynamics.

Week 19-20: Reflect and Adjust

19. Reflection: Take time to reflect on the progress made during the first ninety days. Consider what has worked well and areas that may need adjustment.

20. Feedback Gathering: Gather feedback from your team members about your leadership style, communication, and any improvements they suggest.

Conclusion

The first ninety days as an engineering manager are a dynamic period of exploration, learning, and adaptation. By following this step-by-step guide, you can establish strong relationships, define your leadership style, assess team dynamics, and set a clear path for success. Remember that effective leadership is an ongoing journey of growth, and your dedication to your team’s progress will contribute to both their success and your own.

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