Managing Staff-plus engineers

This guide offers engineering leaders a nuanced roadmap for effectively supporting Staff-plus engineers, moving beyond traditional management approaches by emphasizing sponsorship, strategic feedback, and creating space for independent leadership. The article provides practical insights into helping high-level technical leaders redefine success, maintain organizational alignment, and maximize their impact without micromanaging—revealing how managers can transform Staff-plus engineers from individual contributors to transformative organizational leaders. By detailing strategies like "sponsor and support more than you direct" and "give them unrefined problems," the piece equips managers with actionable techniques to unlock the full potential of their most senior technical talent.