S3:E02 - Should Engineering Managers Code?

In this episode of the podcast, we discuss whether engineering managers should code. We explore different perspectives, considering both current job market trends and organizational needs. We emphasize the advantages of managers being technical, covering scenarios where coding might be beneficial or detrimental. We outline the main areas engineering managers should focus on: execution, team health, and individual development. Towards the end, we touch on the concept of career pendulums between management and coding roles, and share insights from Git Guardian’s approach to balancing manager duties with coding. We conclude by acknowledging the complexities and advocating for context-aware, principle-driven decisions.

00:00 Introduction
00:25 Should Engineering Managers Code?
03:37 The Role of an EM
06:46 Balancing Coding and Management
09:52 Technical vs. Coding Skills
16:09 Avoiding Common Pitfalls
18:26 Effective Technical Contributions
21:12 Manager Participation in Teams
22:18 Non-Technical Managers
27:52 The EM-IC Pendulum
32:55 Hands-On Engineering Managers at GitGuardian
37:16 Summary and Final Thoughts

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