Why Engineering Leaders Need to Write Now ?

Photo by Cathryn Lavery on Unsplash

Introduction :

In an age defined by rapid technological advancements, the flow of information becomes paramount. To understand technology’s ever-expanding landscape, we must rely not only on Sales, marketing, product leads, journalists, and influencers but also on those directly steering the ship: our engineering managers and directors.

Note: While I did not intend to undermine all of their capabilities, I want to emphasize that engineering leaders and managers can be invaluable allies, and it gives “an organization an advantage by representing as market leaders in what they do”

Why Engineering Leaders Must Take The Pen (or Keyboard)

Engineering managers and directors hold a treasure of knowledge. From the intricacies of software architecture to the nuances of hardware integration, they are the bedrock of our technological ecosystem. But why should they write?

1. Perspective: Their position gives them a unique vantage point. They see the bigger picture of how various technological pieces fit together and can offer an unparalleled depth of understanding.
2. Clarity: While engineers often communicate complex concepts amongst themselves, managers and directors are responsible for distilling this information for stakeholders, and writing forces a clarity of thought that benefits all.
3. Bridging the Gap: The chasm between technical and non-technical teams like sales, marketing, and product development can be vast. Regular insights from engineering leaders can serve as a bridge, making collaborations smoother and more informed.

The Changing Face of Technology

With every passing day, technology delves deeper. We have moved beyond superficial applications to systems that intertwine with our daily lives, affecting everything from our routines to global economies. This immense depth and breadth necessitate a robust understanding not just at the execution level but also at the decision-making level.

Sales, marketing, and product leads operate at the frontline, interfacing with clients, consumers, and the market. For them, a nuanced understanding of the technology they’re selling, marketing, or developing is no longer a ‘good-to-have’; it’s a necessity. And who better to guide them than the captains of the engineering world?

The Call to Action

So, to our engineering managers and directors, the call is clear. Begin writing, filming, sharing. Whether it’s articles that delve deep into a new technological trend, blogs that offer managerial insights, books that chronicle the journey of a project, or vlogs that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a product, your insights are invaluable.

In doing so, you will be helping your colleagues in sales, marketing, and product roles and shaping tomorrow's technological narratives. Remember, knowledge grows when shared. And in our rapidly evolving world, that shared knowledge might be the source we all need.

Platform Engineering as an Example

Why engineering managers and directors, particularly in areas like platform engineering, should consider producing more content such as articles, blogs, books, vlogs, etc.

Platform engineering, which deals with creating a suite of shared tools, services, hardware, data, and practices to expedite the delivery of software, has grown significantly as businesses move towards microservices, cloud computing, and containerized solutions. As companies transition to modern tech stacks, understanding platform engineering becomes essential for many roles beyond just engineers.

Reasoning for Increased Content Production

1. Demystifying Complex Topics: As technology becomes more intricate, there’s a clear need to break down these complexities. Engineers inherently understand the nuts and bolts of the tech, but others in the organization might not. Engineering managers and directors are well-placed to bridge this gap, translating technical complexities into easily digestible insights.
2. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Sales, marketing, and product teams can make better decisions when they have a deeper understanding of the technology underpinning the products or services. With more content from engineering leadership, these teams can understand platform capabilities, limitations, and advantages.
3. Attracting Talent: High-quality content can position a company as a thought leader. When engineering leadership shares knowledge, it often attracts top-tier engineering talent who are interested in learning from and working with industry leaders.
4. Market Positioning: As platform engineering becomes a selling point for many SaaS products and enterprise solutions, having content that demystifies and highlights the company’s platform engineering strengths can give a competitive edge in the market.
5. Customer Engagement: Modern customers, especially in the B2B space, are highly informed. They appreciate in-depth technical content that helps them understand a product’s advantages at a deeper level. This could be the difference between choosing one product over a competitor’s.
6. Continuous Learning Culture: By promoting a culture where leadership is continuously sharing knowledge, it encourages everyone in the organization to keep learning. This can foster innovation and motivate teams.
7. Feedback Loop: Public content often invites comments, critiques, and suggestions. This can be an invaluable source of feedback for engineering managers and directors, enabling them to iterate on their strategies or clarify any misconceptions in the community.

In Conclusion

Engineering managers and directors have a unique vantage point. They understand the technology and its implications for the business. By sharing their insights, not only can they benefit their own organization but the wider tech community as well. As technology landscapes like platform engineering continue to evolve, it’s more important than ever for engineering leaders to be vocal, visible, and accessible.