Sign up to our DirectorPlus newsletter
Subscribers get the best engineering leadership content in their inbox every month.
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
-
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.
-
Crafting the perfect LeadDev talk submission
Crafting the best version of your talk proposal for the LeadDev stage with the help of ChatGPT.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Lessons learned launching an MCP server
Steps you can follow if you’re thinking about launching your own MCP server.
-
Why the UK was named top global tech growth hub
But funding hurdles and regulatory costs could stall the momentum.
October 15-17, 2025
New York is almost here. Book your spot today.
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.
Agendas for New York events are live!
Lineup includes Addy Osmani, Kevin Goldsmith, Robin Bonatesta, and more…
New York • October 15 & 16, 2025
More for managers of managers
-
In partnership with DronaHQ
Don’t underestimate low-code in an AI world
A low-code platform can limit the drawbacks of AI-generated code.
-
How AI will change software engineering
No one can agree how AI will change software engineering. Here’s how to prepare anyway.
-
The 3 factors that drive great Revenue per Engineer returns
New DX benchmarking cracks open the black box of engineering departments.
-
AI coding mandates are driving developers to the brink
Under pressure to embrace AI, developers are growing frustrated by misguided mandates and are left to clean up any collateral damage inflicted on their codebase.
-
The importance of supervising your AI coding agents
And 3 other themes from the latest Thoughtworks’ Technology Radar.
-
Bringing internal engineering projects to the world
Pia Nilsson, senior director of engineering at Spotify, on how they identify and externalize impactful internal developer tools like Backstage.
-
95% AI-written code? Unpacking the Y Combinator CEO’s developer jobs bombshell
Garry Tan says YC startups are launching with 95% AI-written code. What does this mean for the shape and size of engineering teams?
-
Executive communication tactics that work for all audiences
The way you communicate with executives – clear, direct, and to the point – should be the standard for all communication.
Videos for managers of managers
-
Don’t drop the baton, or how a team that communicates well collaborates well
Effective team communication shapes company culture at all levels. In this talk, we’ll explore habits, principles, and frameworks to foster healthy communication patterns.
-
In partnership with SoftwireThe five stages of workplace culture
Discover the five key stages that built Softwire’s award-winning culture and motivated top engineering talent.
-
From code to commerce: Engineering’s role in driving business growth
Learn how engineering leadership drives business success by linking technical excellence to measurable outcomes, fostering commercial awareness, and optimizing performance at scale.
-
Building the AI enablement playbook
Learn how to lead AI adoption by reshaping systems, culture, and operations, not just rolling out tools.
-
Don’t get toasted: A leader’s guide to mental well-being
Real tools for managers’ mental well-being – from stress management to parenting wisdom – because leading teams shouldn’t mean burning out.
-
In partnership with DXBetter software faster
How the Core 4 framework helps teams measure and communicate productivity gains while balancing delivery pressure.
-
Rethinking collaboration: LLMs, teams, and cognitive load
Discover how LLMs can reduce cognitive load, boost team collaboration, and reshape engineering workflows without compromising quality or delivery.
-
How to delete everything: The clean-slate approach to technical strategy
Learn how clean-slate thinking can break technical deadlocks, improve system resilience, and inspire actionable strategies for complex engineering challenges.
-
Rethinking growing engineers in the age of AI
Explore how to grow future senior engineers in an AI-driven world that sidelines traditional junior roles.
-
Give everyone a challenge – Leadership growth in stable times
Learn how to grow engineering leaders through impact-focused challenges, not headcount, even in low-growth environments.
-
In partnership with O’ReillyHelping your engineers find time to learn and upskill
Webinar recording: discover how to support your engineers to learn and practice new skills.
-
In partnership with CircleCIHow to build experimentation into your technical roadmap
This webinar is for engineering leaders who believe that a strong culture of experimentation drives innovation – and who want to convince peers and stakeholders that it should be part of your technical strategy