Becoming a technical leader
an organic problem-solving approach
by Gerald M. Weinberg · first published 1986
93% recommend7% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Weinberg's take on leadership as something you do rather than something you are, with problem-solving and people insights that hold up despite dated software examples; suits engineers moving toward leading teams.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
A personalized guide to developing the qualities that make a successful technical leader. We all possess the ingredients for leadership, some better developed than others. The book focuses on the problem-solving style–a unique blend of skills in 3 main areas: innovation, motivation, and organization. Ways to analyze your own leadership skills, with practical steps for developing those skills.
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…performance. This is a much more rigorous account than is usual in this space, so I believe it is a must read for everyone in software. --- Author: Gerald Weinberg Books: * Are Your Lights On? * Becoming a Technical Leader' * Introduction to General Systems Thinking Jerry's books have had a tremendous amount of impact on my thinking in the past couple years. I highly recommend reading everything you can get your hands…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗…He's the founder of Zingerman's Deli (in Ann Arbor MI) and is a very creative force toward making your workplace constructive and engaging. Not related to software, but full of good ideas. Weinberg's "Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach" is an oldie but goodie in this space, though it doesn't focus on software but tech of all kinds. Finally, I heartily recommend "Code Complete" as an excellent source…
on “Ask HN: How to Be a Good Technical Lead?” ↗My two favorites for this are 'Becoming a Technical Leader', Gerald Weinberg, and 'Making Things Happen', Scott Berkun.
on “Ask HN: What makes a good technical leader – any recommended books?” ↗…http://randsinrepose.com/archives/category/management/ Radical Candor: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Candor-Kim-Scott/dp/B01MY574E... Extreme Ownership: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/B... Becoming a Technical Leader: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Technical-Leader-Problem-Sol... Peopleware: https://www.amazon.com/Peopleware-Productive-Projects-Teams-... - Finally, one piece of advice I got when I first transitioned…
on “Ask HN: Just made Director, now what?” ↗Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach - Jerry Weinberg (and many other great books by him) - a book I've read and re-read many times. A brief review here - https://blog.mkorman.uk/book-review-becoming-a-technical-lea...
on “Ask HN: What makes a good technical leader – any recommended books?” ↗Becoming a Technical Leader by Gerald Weinberg http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004J4VV3I/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl...
on “Ask HN: What are some good resources for learning about technical management?” ↗Pretty much the entire Jerry Weinberg canon, but 'Becoming A Technical Leader', and 'Secrets of Consulting' are two excellent places to start.
on “Ask HN: What are your best “soft skill” resources?” ↗…this year. Re-read my favorites from Jerry Weinberg ( August 7, 2018) - The Secrets of Consulting: A Guide to Giving and Getting Advice Successfully - An Introduction to General Systems Thinking - Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach - Are your lights on? based on his references I went back to Virginia Satir, her Books are kinda hard to order: - The new Peoplemaking - The Satir Model: Family…
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗I've read and re-read Becoming a Technical Leader - An Organic Problem Solving Approach by Jerry Weinberg - https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Technical-Leader-Problem-Sol...
on “Ask HN: Going from Developer to Manager. What should I know or learn?” ↗It's years since I read it but Gerald Weinberg's Becoming a Technical Leader. The best general book on leadership I've read for a while is Marquet's Turn the Ship Around – great also as an audiobook. I referenced the latter in my own Right to Left: The digital leader's guide to…
on “Ask HN: Best book / resources on leadership, especially for tech teams?” ↗+1 on Becoming a technical leader: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Technical-Leader-Problem-Sol...
on “Ask HN: What makes a good technical leader – any recommended books?” ↗Gerald Weinberg's "Becoming a Technical Leader" is an often overlooked classic.
on “Ask HN: Best book / resources on leadership, especially for tech teams?” ↗'Becoming A Technical Leader', Gerald Weinberg
on “Books I recommend to my software engineering students” ↗"Becoming a Technical Leader" by Gerald Weinberg Unconventional perspective on management "How Buildings Learn" by Stewart Brand One of the best books about designing long-term architectures. Excellent coffee table book "Envisioning…
on “Ask YC: What would you put on a hacker's bookshelf?” ↗* The Pragmatic Programmer * Becoming a Technical Leader * In Search of Stupidity * Hackers & Painters * Blockbusters * Joel on Software: And on Diverse and Occasionally Related Matters That Will Prove of Interest to Software Developers, Designers, and…
on “Ask YC (and PG): What books do you have on your bookshelf? ” ↗