The Hard Parts Of Engineering Management

About this episode

This episode explores the challenges faced by engineering managers, including conflict handling and maintaining technical skills.

Engineering management can look glamorous from the outside — but behind the scenes, it’s often a mix of tough calls, emotional juggling, and constant context switching. In this episode, we’re diving into the hard parts of being an engineering manager — from staying technical and handling conflict, to managing up, balancing expectations, and keeping your own sanity along the way. 06:04: Feeling productive 09:25: Staying technical 10:21: Handling conflicts 18:47: Balancing stakeholder expectations 21:30: Career growth 25:59: Isolation and pressure

People in this episode

Hosts: Emma Bostian, Kelly Vaughn

Topics covered

• engineering management
• conflict resolution
• stakeholder management
• career growth
• work-life balance
• technical skills

Keywords

• engineering management
• conflict
• stakeholder expectations
• career growth
• isolation
• pressure

More episodes of Ladybug Podcast

• Becoming An Engineering Manager Without A Technical Background · October 27, 2025 · 34 min
• Performance Management As An Engineering Manager · October 20, 2025 · 34 min
• Interviewing And Hiring Engineers · October 13, 2025 · 37 min
• Managing A Remote Team Of Engineers · October 6, 2025 · 35 min
• Working With Product Managers and Stakeholders · September 29, 2025 · 38 min
• Project Management As An Engineering Manager · September 22, 2025 · 41 min