It surprises me every day how little software engineering I do in my job of managing software engineers.
The most applicable thing I got from spending years building production software wasn’t unique to the work I was doing building iOS apps; it was confidence in my ability to learn and apply new concepts.
I think the only reason that being a strong IC is a prerequisite to EM is that it establishes clout with engineers. This is a silly requirement because the skills that actually make someone a good manager typically have nothing to do with their ability to write good code. It almost always comes down to understanding the business, motivating people and developing good judgment — all of which can be learned independent of the actual act of coding.
Originally posted on LinkedIn.