Effective Management: Getting the Best from Your Team Pete Isensee Principal Program Manager Xbox Platform Team

About Me

Development Failures Of 500 real world development efforts 15% cancelled or aborted Of those that lasted 25+ work-years 25% failed to complete For the overwhelming majority, there was not a single technological issue to explain the failure. – DeMarco and Lister, Peopleware

Key Takeaway

Pop Quiz Who has a sociology degree? Who took management classes in school? Who has a manager mentor? Who has read any books on management? Who has been to a manager training class?

Recipe for Success Hire the best Motivate and inspire Turn them loose Give feedback Manage underperformers

Hiring Use your network Need: smart & productive Examine portfolios Involve the team Compare notes Make a decision

Effective hiring managers never settle for “good enough” Key Takeaway

Recipe for Success Hire the best Motivate and inspire Turn them loose Give feedback Manage underperformers

RiskTrustMotivation Trust Cycle

Motivational Tactics Be real Think long term Celebrate progress Try something new Foster l’esprit de corps Maximize the workspace The trivial and the silly are neither

Team Chemistry Build a cult of quality Cultivate a sense of eliteness Encourage diversity Foster employee connections Give strategic, not tactical, advice

Key Takeaway

Recipe for Success Hire the best Motivate and inspire Turn them loose Give feedback Manage underperformers

6Ps: Setting Course Premise Purpose Principles Priorities Plan People

6Ps: Example Premise: The game engine keeps crashing Purpose: Improve the quality of the engine Principles: Invest for the future, minimize content changes, evaluate multiple options Priorities: Quality, efficiency, readability, … Plan: Investigate middleware, hire consultant, … People: …

Cut Loose Trust the team Foster work/life balance Don’t waste the team’s time Build consensus

Manage Change Improvements involve change Fundamental response to change: emotional Celebrate the status quo first

Key Takeaway

Recipe for Success Hire the best Motivate and inspire Turn them loose Give feedback Manage underperformers

I’m Listening Give feedback Shortly before or after behavior Start with what you like Talk about ways to improve Receive feedback Ask for feedback Listen Two valid responses: “Thanks” and “Go on”

Key Takeaways

Recipe for Success Hire the best Motivate and inspire Turn them loose Give feedback Manage underperformers

Failure is Not an Option Match skillset to the work Don’t delay Pave the way Coordinate with mgmt, HR, legal Your team will thank you

Key Takeaways

General People Mgmt Tactics Use Different Communication Modes Get People Alone Get People Together Hunt People Down Hide/Work Offsite Grant Authority Get Advice Go on Walkabout Call in Favors Stack the Deck Buy People Coffee/Donuts

Remember the Recipe Hire the best Motivate and inspire Turn them loose Give feedback Manage underperformers

Takeaways for Effective Managers

Resources Website: tantalon.com DeMarco & Lister: Peopleware Spolsky: Guerilla Guide to Interviewing (web) Berkun: Making Things Happen Brechner: Hard Code