No longer having the tangible, code-based evidence of a hard day’s work when you transition into management can be the hardest part of the role change, but there are ways to harness meta productivity and regain job satisfaction.
Every so often, I have a day where I look up after the last meeting has ended and feel like I’ve gotten absolutely nothing done. I’ve been busy all day long: having conversations, reading documents, and checking in with peers and team members. I’m exhausted, but I’ve accomplished nothing.
Except that’s not at all true. It just feels that way.
When you’re an engineer, the work you do is so tangible.