Both Sides of the Desk: Burnout (The Engineer's Perspective)
The first in a new series examining critical issues from both engineer and manager perspectives. This post explores burnout from the network engineer's viewpoint - the relentless pursuit of the next certification, work overload, organizational chaos, and the exhausting disconnect between technical reality and management expectations.
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Network Engineering Manager
Real talk from a new network engineering manager about the unexpected challenges, hard lessons, and things nobody tells you before you take on your first management role. If you're considering management or just started, these insights might save you some painful learning experiences.
Managing Up as a Technical Manager: Getting What Your Team Needs
As a technical manager, your success depends not just on managing your team downward, but on effectively managing up to secure resources, remove obstacles, and shield your team from organizational politics. This guide covers practical strategies for advocating upward and getting what your team needs to succeed.
The Technical Manager's Dilemma: Staying Current While Leading People
The struggle is real for technical managers trying to maintain their technical edge while effectively leading people. This post explores why trying to be both the top technical expert and the manager usually leads to failure at both, and provides practical strategies for finding the right balance.
From Network Engineer to Network Engineering Manager: A First-Timer's Guide
Making the leap from individual contributor to manager is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Here's what to expect in your first management role, essential traits for success, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical advice for leading a network engineering team while maintaining your technical credibility.