The Thriving In Engineering Digest

A curated week.

Not enough time to keep up with new content?

Some weeks, staying on top of quality ideas feels like a full-time job. If you've been swamped lately, you're not alone.

That’s exactly why I created The Thriving In Engineering Digest – to save you time.

Each week, I sift through the latest content and curate standout reads, listens, and insights that matter for engineering leaders. No endless tabs.

Think of it as your 10-minute shortcut to clearer thinking and better leadership.

Here’s what stood out this week.

1 - Understanding and Managing Procrastination in Software Teams

Procrastination in software engineering isn't simply about poor time management. It often stems from cognitive demands, shifting priorities, and collaborative challenges.

Lizzie Matusov

dives into why developers procrastinate and how it impacts teams, citing a study involving 15 engineers from diverse organizations. The research reveals nuanced views – procrastination can sometimes lead to positive outcomes like improved creativity or mood, though it's often associated with negative effects such as emotional distress and reduced performance.

Three types of procrastination were identified:

• Task aversion

• Task avoidance

• And strategic delay

Engineering leaders need to address procrastination as a signal rather than a mere productivity flaw, implementing strategies that support teams in recognizing and managing delays productively. This includes simplifying task initiation, fostering open communication about delays, and supporting productive delay strategies like artificial deadlines and regular demos.

Main Takeaway:

Procrastination isn't just a productivity issue – it's a complex behavior influenced by task-related, emotional, and external triggers that leaders can mitigate with strategic interventions.

Why It Matters:

For engineering leaders, understanding and managing procrastination is crucial for maintaining team trust, delivery velocity, and individual well-being. It’s about creating an environment where procrastination can be transformed into constructive momentum.

Read This If You’re Interested In:

• Improving team trust and collaboration despite delays

• Implementing practical strategies to manage procrastination

• Creating productive pressure without inducing stress

• Fostering open communication surrounding task difficulties

• Navigating complex cognitive demands in software projects

2 - Is Your Team Too Much of a 'Family'? Shift to a High-Performance Culture

Marcos F. Lobo 🗻

shares insights into a common pitfall many tech leads face: treating their teams like a family.

While a family-style approach can create comfort and harmony, it often diminishes accountability and performance. Lobo warns of blurred boundaries, which make giving critical feedback difficult, and misaligned incentives that prioritize comfort over competition.

To escape these traps, he suggests shifting focus to goal-driven leadership. Key strategies include:

• Setting clear, measurable goals

• Embracing accountability by skill levels

• Investing in structured development

• Maintaining honest feedback loops

• And curating team dynamics

By making these changes, leaders can maintain team loyalty while driving exceptional results.

Main Takeaway:

Shift from a ‘family-first’ mindset to disciplined processes to retain the best elements of team dynamics while focusing on achieving high performance.

Why It Matters:

Engineering leaders often grapple with balancing camaraderie and achieving metrics-driven results. This insight provides a roadmap to transform teams without losing the core human elements that make them thrive.

Read This If You’re Interested In:

• Adapting your leadership style to prioritize team performance.

• Understanding the risks of treating teams like a family.

• Implementing practical strategies to foster accountability.

• Exploring the benefits of structured growth frameworks.

• Learning to balance team camaraderie with competitive spirit.