Answering questions is higher stakes than most people realize. The secret to increasing your effectiveness is to consider if there's an underlying, unspoken issue.
This is a masterclass in 'Managing Up.' In my experience as a senior engineering manager, when a board asks, 'Why is this refactor taking so long?', I feel this post is about predictability.
They are actually asking, can I trust your roadmap enough to make promises to our investors?
If we answer the surface question with technical jargon, we lose their trust. If we answer the QBQ, we gain a partner.
This is a masterclass in 'Managing Up.' In my experience as a senior engineering manager, when a board asks, 'Why is this refactor taking so long?', I feel this post is about predictability.
They are actually asking, can I trust your roadmap enough to make promises to our investors?
If we answer the surface question with technical jargon, we lose their trust. If we answer the QBQ, we gain a partner.
Great article.