Tracy Lee hosts Beth Laing, who is the Director of Engineering at CallRail, an Atlanta-based company. Beth also serves as one of the directors for Women Who Code Atlanta and is a co-organizer for a conference called refacr.tech.
Beth shares how it’s important to work for a company that values engineering management as a distinct job. CallRail has two models for engineering management: technical managers who also contribute code and managers who focus solely on people and project management. They have parallel paths for technical progression, ensuring engineers can continue to focus on hands-on work if they prefer.
As a Director of Engineering, Beth's responsibilities include fostering good relationships with her managers, providing coaching and mentorship, and coordinating between different departments like product, design, marketing, sales, and support.
Defining success as a Director of Engineering can be challenging due to the multifaceted nature of the role. Beth emphasizes the importance of moving the needle, helping struggling team members, maintaining good relationships, and ensuring teams have the necessary context to make informed decisions.
The interview also touches upon the importance of flexibility in the position of Director of Engineering at a startup. Being able to adapt to changing circumstances, industry trends, and business needs is crucial for effective leadership. Beth shares best practices for reorganization processes and what you should take into consideration as a leader.
Regarding cross-functional alignment, Beth talks about how to best manage up and build relationships throughout the organization. She highlights the significance of proactively communicating with superiors and peers to avoid surprises and foster trust.
Beth talks about measuring success and team effectiveness. While some metrics are easily measurable for product-centric teams, others require tools like Jellyfish to track team performance and ensure alignment with planned goals.
Lastly, the interview discusses the challenge of accommodating different personalities and preferences within a growing organization. Beth acknowledges the need for both action-driven individuals and those seeking stability to create a balanced and successful team dynamic. Flexibility in accommodating diverse personalities is key to managing an effective and harmonious team.
Watch this interview on This Dot Media's YouTube Channel!
