Jacob has some insights into the management transition...

In Coder 427 you guys take on the feedback of a listener moving from a developer to a manager. It’s a big topic and there’s an insight I’d like to share on the getting to know your people component. Asking one question of each person in 1:1 sessions can be a game changer. The question is… Tell me about a mentor that impacted your life.

That question puts the person in a position where they tell a story that reveals a time when they had to be humble. Usually when the mentor appears in that story the person uses descriptions that will reveal the type of leadership the person responds to as well as the values that resonate with them. Knowing how your people have dealt with challenges in the past and what got them through it can help you connect on the human level so when your experiments with processes don’t go well you still have a connection that will allow you to move forward.

Taking Chris’ advice on accountability goes a long way when you know what sort of things resonate with your people.

Also, if you find yourself relating to Michael Scott the next time you bing-watch The Office then you might want to check your behavior.