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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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Why AI economics are fundamentally broken
Making money from software is not the same equation in the AI era.
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If 95% of generative AI pilots fail, what’s going wrong?
Learning the right lessons from that MIT study
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New study suggests major productivity boost when using Cursor’s coding agent
Is this the massive productivity benefit we’ve been waiting for?
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How to go back to being a technical engineering manager
A guide for getting back to hands-on management.
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Shadow AI is leaving software teams dangerously exposed
Two thirds of organizations report exploits involving vulnerable LLM code.
Deadline: January 4, 2026
Call for Proposals for London 2026 is open!
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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The unseen fixes that boost engineering performance
At the intersection of toil and operational risk lies “perilwork.”
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What US engineering managers can expect to earn in 2026
Are there signs of life in the hiring market?
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Why I expect candidates to use AI in the hiring process
If you’re joining a team where AI use is commonplace, expect the interview process to test those skills.
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Crafting the perfect LeadDev talk submission
Crafting the best version of your talk proposal for the LeadDev stage with the help of ChatGPT.
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Harness acquires Qwiet AI to combat AI-generated code risks
This merger is set to help address hidden security risks with the help of AI-assisted coding.
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The AI productivity myth is more harmful than you think
Perceived productivity may be up thanks to AI, but there’s debt collecting in the shadows.
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Lessons learned launching an MCP server
Steps you can follow if you’re thinking about launching your own MCP server.
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Why the UK was named top global tech growth hub
But funding hurdles and regulatory costs could stall the momentum.
Videos for managers of managers
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No promotion. Now what!?
Explore how to navigate promotion denial with resilience, clarity, and strategy to reignite career growth and fulfillment.
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Try, try again
Learn why intelligent retries are essential for resilient systems, and how to implement them safely with proper limits and timing.
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Your career isn’t stuck – you’re playing by the wrong rules
Discover what true inclusion means by exploring practical ways to support neurodivergent colleagues and create genuinely diverse teams.
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Onboarding as a manager: How AI changed my first months
Learn how AI can support new engineering managers by accelerating context gathering, easing overwhelm, and enhancing team understanding.
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Taking a seat in the C-Suite: Transitioning from the highest-level operational roles to the executive team
A look at the transition to executive leadership, examining the skills, mindset, and priorities needed to succeed.
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Transforming tradition: The journey to product-led growth
Learn how Dow Jones is embracing a product-first mindset to drive radical transformation and deliver innovative customer and consumer experiences.
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In partnership with DXLeadership in AI-assisted engineering
Explore proven leadership strategies for AI-assisted engineering, fostering adoption, productivity, psychological safety, and measurable organizational impact.
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Building a cost-conscious culture: Technical and team strategies
Discover proven strategies to optimize cloud infrastructure costs and build a cost-aware engineering culture without slowing delivery.
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Build features, not fragile foundations
Learn how to balance feature delivery with technical debt reduction to maintain system health, velocity, and long-term stability.
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In partnership with ReveloEngineering leadership playbook, 2025: Three lessons every engineering leader needs this year
Learn three key lessons to lead AI adoption, build remote teams, and strengthen engineering culture.
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Uncovering silent struggles in leadership roles
A candid session revealing common hidden leadership challenges, with practical strategies to address and overcome them effectively.
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The AI-augmented team: Rethinking roles, skills, and leadership
Explore how AI assistants and agents are reshaping team structures, required skills, and leadership in modern engineering organizations.