It Depends: Writing on Technology Leadership 2012-2022, a collection of essays and articles by technology executive Kevin Goldsmith, is a must-read for current or aspiring engineering managers, directors, and senior technology executives. With over thirty years of experience in leadership roles at industry-leading technology companies like IBM, Silicon Graphics, Microsoft, and Adobe, as well as early-stage startups and unicorns like Spotify, Avvo, Anaconda, and DistroKid, Goldsmith shares his knowledge about leading technology teams and larger organizations in this book.
The book covers a range of topics, including creating a culture of experimentation and innovation, managing day-to-day, career development as a technology leader, team building, and practical advice for handling the requirements of the engineering manager role. Goldsmith acknowledges that the context is different in every company and for every person, and he shares his wisdom to help leaders form solutions that make sense for their company, team, and themselves.
What sets Goldsmith's writing apart is his ability to provide practical advice and insights that few companies adequately train their managers on. He also offers guidance on how to move from managing a single team to managing managers, organization structure, building career development frameworks, diversity and inclusion, and hiring. By reading It Depends, you'll gain valuable insights into becoming a more effective leader in the technology industry.