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Newsletter archive
AI agents and the missing link in DevOps
AI agents aren’t just assistants anymore – they’re making decisions. Are engineers ready for the shift or are they just too skeptical?
Carving out time for large-scale engineering chores
Determine what to prioritize, set out a path, and be prepared for some hiccups along the way.
Encouraging a passion for productivity
In this edition of DirectorPlus, Neha Batra, VP of Engineering at GitHub, explains how she creates a culture of productivity.
Framing AI rollouts in the right light
How can you introduce AI into teams in a way that doesn’t invite unrest within your org? It starts with presenting it in the right light.
Latest
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Think the technical interview is dead? Think again
The technical interview is evolving as AI-assisted coding becomes the norm.
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The latest tech layoffs have all the hallmarks of AI washing
Looking closer at the latest Block and Atlassian layoffs.
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AI adoption has to be driven from the top
Not by mandate, but clear leadership and guidance over why AI is being adopted.
Berlin • November 9 & 10, 2026
AI. Burnout. Big decisions.
The pressure is real. Berlin is where you work through it.
Essential reading
What is a Director of Engineering? The glue keeping engineering together
A director of engineering is responsible for keeping an entire engineering function humming. Find out what skills you need to climb the ladder to this vital position.
On our DirectorPlus playlist
Strategies to hone commercial awareness and drive business outcomes
Learn effective strategies for enhancing commercial awareness in tech teams, turning engineering into a business driver through alignment, impactful initiatives, and stakeholder engagement.
The path from Director to CTO: How to follow it, or how to mentor it
This talk is aimed at both aspiring Chief Technology Officers and those who are in a position to mentor future CTOs. Explore the journey from a Director of Engineering role to a CTO, focusing on the skills and experiences needed for this transition and how experienced leaders can guide others on this path.
Making the manager of manager’s mindset
Suzan Bond covers the difference between the two roles and the key mindset shifts leaders need to make to manage managers.
The festival for modern engineering leadership
London • June 2 & 3, 2026
More for managers of managers
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In partnership with X-Team
A beginner’s guide to building a sustainable learning culture
Software moves fast, how can you build a culture ready to keep up?
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In partnership with X-Team
Cultivating a culture of learning
Establishing a genuine learning culture takes time and attention, from all levels of the organization.
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How Zalando uses its own Tech Radar to make better technology choices
A tech radar can help track emerging technologies and make better adoption decisions.
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4 things you need to know from the latest Thoughtworks Tech Radar
Here’s why AI-assisted software development, open-ish source, and the stubbornness of the pull request should all be on your radar.
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Can we cure imposter syndrome in tech?
After years of leaning in, imposter syndrome is still prevalent amongst women in tech. Can it be eradicated?
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Ask Mathias: How do I define my role without any guidance?
Once you get to a certain level, it can be difficult to understand the parameters of your role.
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The art of giving and receiving feedback as a leader
Providing feedback is a skill. Like all skills, it is one that you can build upon and grow as part of your leadership toolkit.
Videos for managers of managers
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Decoding candidate experiences: A new era in tech hiring
Discover how tech hiring is evolving with insights on candidate experiences, market trends, and empathy-driven practices for creating an inclusive, transparent hiring process.
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On-call revolution: Building a culture of ownership and collaboration
Discover how innovative on-call rotations empower developers, foster team collaboration, and reduce complexity, creating a cohesive, ownership-driven culture that enhances service quality.
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In partnership with incident.ioManaging authentically across levels
Learn how to manage engineers at all levels with practical tips for adapting your style to support growth and foster a thriving, high-performing engineering team.
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Effective communication: Mastering growth-oriented feedback
Discover strategies for delivering feedback that builds trust and openness. Learn science-backed techniques to make feedback constructive, approachable, and growth-focused, helping teams unlock their full potential.
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Tackling tech debt
Learn practical strategies from a seasoned CTO on managing tech debt effectively – when to embrace it, how to prioritize it, and turning it into growth.
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Exhausted but not burned out: A manager’s story of how to get the team through a tough project
Discover strategies for leading high-stress projects without burnout. Learn how prioritising team well-being, resilience, and self-compassion fosters sustainable success even under intense pressure.
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Tech odyssey: The epic saga of a mega migration to temporal
Embark on a journey through the challenges and triumphs of a major tech migration, revealing strategies for scaling, continuous development, and operational excellence in platform transformation.
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There and back again – A cautionary tale about entering middle management
Explore the realities of middle management through a journey of promotion, stress, and self-reflection, offering guidance on finding the right leadership path.
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Scaling your ML platform to enable the industrialisation of AI and ML development
Delve into the essentials of scaling ML platforms to industrialize AI development, with insights on prioritizing tools and requirements for efficient, large-scale model deployment.
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Mentorship & Sponsorship
Uncover the impact of mentorship and sponsorship in building technical leadership, and learn practical ways to uplift and create opportunities for diverse tech communities.
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Breaking barriers: Embracing neurodiversity in tech
Discover the importance of neurodiversity in tech, with actionable strategies to foster inclusivity and empower colleagues with hidden disabilities for a more supportive workplace.
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Feedback for intercultural teams – Where is the map?
Explore techniques for delivering culturally sensitive feedback, with practical tips to improve communication, foster growth, and boost performance in today’s diverse, intercultural team environments.