Become a sharper
engineering manager
in 5 minutes a week
One short, actionable tip every week. Battle-tested tactics you can use immediately. No lengthy newsletters, just what works.
🎁 Subscribe now → Instantly steal my 25 favorite 1:1 questions
The exact questions I use to build trust, uncover blockers, and level up my team
What you get
every single week
Battle-tested leadership tactics from real managers
Plug-and-play scripts for 1:1s and feedback
Simple frameworks that cut through chaos
Workshops you can run with your team tomorrow
Performance management tactics that work
Zero fluff, 100% actionable
"One short tip. Five minutes to read. Real impact on your team."
Why this works
Most leadership advice is either too theoretical or too generic to be useful.
This newsletter is different. Every tip comes from engineering managers who've been in the trenches. We focus on the small, tactical decisions that make the biggest difference.
The exact questions for a 1:1. The framework for prioritization when everything feels urgent. The script that makes difficult feedback productive.
Not theory. Not inspiration. Just practical tactics from people who do this work every day.
Sample tips from
the archive
This is what lands in your inbox—practical tactics you can use today.
The 3-Question 1:1 Framework
Stop winging your 1:1s. Three questions that uncover what really matters:
'What's top of mind?', 'What's getting in your way?', 'How can I help?' Simple. Effective. Works every time.
Read the full post →
Stop Status-Update 1:1s
Status belongs async. Seven ways to make one-on-ones useful again.
Hand them the agenda. Kill 'what did you work on?' Protect the meeting for coaching.
Read the full post →
Ace the EM Interview
15 tips panels actually score — story banks, STAR, underperformer answers.
Not harder LeetCode. Leadership judgment, with receipts.
Read the full post →
25 EM Interview Questions
The questions hiring panels ask — and what strong answers sound like.
Behavioral, people, delivery. Drill them on a timer.
Read the full post →
What managers say
"The 1:1 framework changed how I run my team. I actually look forward to these meetings now."
Sarah Chen
Engineering Manager, Series B Startup
"No fluff. No theory. Just tactics I used in my next meeting. This is what I needed as a new manager."
Marcus Rodriguez
Tech Lead → EM
"I've tried every leadership newsletter. This is the only one I actually read and use."
Alex Thompson
Head of Engineering
Hi, I'm the author
I'm an engineering manager who learned the hard way—managing teams through scaling chaos, tough performance conversations, and everything in between.
After collecting frameworks from mentors and testing what actually works, I started sharing these tactics. People kept asking for more.
So here it is. One actionable tip every week. No fluff.
→ 8+ years engineering management
→ Teams from 5 to 50 engineers
→ Startup → Scale-up → Enterprise
→ Hired, fired, promoted, coached
→ Made every mistake so you don't have to
Ready to steal my playbook?
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© 2026 Engineering Manager Newsletter. Built for managers, by managers.
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