Being in the details

In an era of organizational efficiency, this article argues that engineering leaders must stay deeply connected to their team's work, challenging the notion that strategic management means total delegation. James Stanier provides practical techniques for managers to remain hands-on, emphasizing that truly effective leadership requires understanding project details, technical decisions, and team dynamics at a granular level. The piece offers actionable strategies like conducting area deep dives, mixing 1:1s with technical pairing, and actively engaging with individual contributors to maintain accountability and drive high-performance outcomes.