1. Microsoft Ignite NZ
25-28 October 2016
SKYCITY, Auckland

2. Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
From Developer to Technical Manager: a tale, lessons learnt (and how not to completely stuff it up)
M246
Hannah Gray, Technical Group Lead, Xero
Images: Can Stock Photo Inc. (under license) or openclipart.org (Public Domain CC1.0)
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

3. Disclaimer Take some things as given
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Disclaimer
Take some things as given
Imposter syndrome
Soft skills
Recognition is not the same as solving
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

4. Who the heck am I to talk about this?
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Who the heck am I to talk about this?
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

5. A developer turned middle management
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
A developer turned middle management
Developer
Web Applications
.NET and SQL
Now Technical Group Lead at Xero
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

6. 11/17/2018 8:00 PM
The story
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7. I had no idea where I wanted to go
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
I had no idea where I wanted to go
me.CareerPlan = null;
if (AskWhatWantToBe(me)){
reply(‘I hate being asked that question’); }
me.FeelingOfAdequacy = false;
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

8. I stumbled into “success”…
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
I stumbled into “success”…
if (RequiresClimbingLadder()) {
reply(‘You’re hilarious, no thanks’); }
me.InterestInNetworking = null;
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

9. … by simply doing what I enjoyed <cliché/>
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
… by simply doing what I enjoyed <cliché/>
switch (work.Type) {
case(“ProcessImprovement”):
case(“MakingLifeBetterForUsers”):
me.IsSuperPumped = true; }
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

10. I found my strengths me.Strengths = new [] { “People leadership”,
“Mentoring”,
“Communication” }
me.Weaknesses = new [] {
“Caring about the .NET compilers latest bug”,
“Debating tabs vs spaces”

11. Nek minute me.DirectReports.Count = 10; me.WiderTeam.Count = 50;
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Nek minute
me.DirectReports.Count = 10;
me.WiderTeam.Count = 50;
me.Responsibilities = new [] {
“Technical Quality”,
“Technical Roadmap”,
“People Leadership”,
“Team health” }
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

12. Track record Developer Developer + Technical Leadership
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Track record
Developer
Developer + Technical Leadership
Developer + Work Prioritisation
Developer + People Management
Technical Leadership + Project Planning + Architecture
ex-Developer + People Management + Project Planning + Architecture + Technical Leadership
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

13. 11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Sound familiar?
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

14. Careers Select Count(*) From People Where CareerPlan = null
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Careers
Select Count(*)
From People
Where CareerPlan = null
100,000 results returned*
Networking.Natural > Networking.Forced
* Completely made up number
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

15. Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Leadership
if (
developer.HasAwesomePeopleSkills && developer.HasAwesomeTechnicalSkills ) {
reply(“Look Jim, we found a Unicorn!”) }
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

16. Limitations if (ViewedAsSuccessful){
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Limitations
if (ViewedAsSuccessful){
you.Problems += otherPeople.Problems; }
void BeAllTheThings{
throw new NotPossibleException();
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

17. It’s okay if (Remove(Activity.Coding)) { WorldEnding = false;
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
It’s okay
if (Remove(Activity.Coding)) {
WorldEnding = false;
ValueAdd = true;
HappinessQuotient = MaxValue; }
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

18. Challenge: Title != Seniority
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Challenge: Title != Seniority
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

19. Focus on the intent of the role, not the job description
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Focus on the intent of the role, not the job description
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

20. You will lose sight of the goal occasionally
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
You will lose sight of the goal occasionally
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

21. Peer Support > Manager
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Peer Support > Manager
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

22. How not to stuff it up Microsoft Ignite 2016 11/17/2018 8:00 PM
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

23. Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Learn about Emotional Intelligence, Unconscious Bias, communication styles
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

24. Embrace change… Microsoft Ignite 2016 11/17/2018 8:00 PM
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

25. … and bring people along on the journey
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
… and bring people along on the journey
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

26. Lead, don’t dictate… Microsoft Ignite 2016 11/17/2018 8:00 PM
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

27. … and you must stick to your word
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
… and you must stick to your word
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

28. Reward impact over heroics
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Reward impact over heroics
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

29. You’ll hate having uncomfortable conversations, lean towards them
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
You’ll hate having uncomfortable conversations, lean towards them
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

30. Consciously choose what sort of manager you want to be
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Consciously choose what sort of manager you want to be
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

31. Technical Leadership People Leadership Where will you sit?
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Where will you sit?
Technical Leadership
People Leadership
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

32. Have you set expectations?
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Have you set expectations?
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

33. What do you believe I expect of you?
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
What do you expect of me?
What do you believe I expect of you?
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

34. Just ask Microsoft Ignite 2016 11/17/2018 8:00 PM
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

35. Communication is the key to everything
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Communication is the key to everything
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

36. Last but not least…

37. Be honest with yourself and with those around you
Microsoft Ignite 2016
11/17/2018 8:00 PM
Be honest with yourself and with those around you
© 2016 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

38. 11/17/2018 8:00 PM
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.