The hottest Management Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

The Journey

Things I Didn't Learn in School • 117 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Schools and corporates emphasize mimicry over authentic expression.
  2. Corporate structures resemble authoritarian regimes, with loyalty being rewarded.
  3. Creating original work requires finding your unique voice and being true to it.

Discomforts of Great Design Management

Product Composition • 117 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🪑 Design Management
  1. Your work in design management is naturally unquantifiable, leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction in many managers.
  2. As a design manager, prioritize building trust with your team, even in challenging situations.
  3. Design managers need to be responsible for the output, not just facilitate, and balance scalable with unscalable practices.

The victim trap of engineering managers

Leading Developers • 160 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
💼 Business Management
  1. The Drama Triangle explains how people fall into three roles during conflicts: Victim, Villain, and Hero. Recognizing these roles can help people avoid feeling powerless.
  2. When faced with challenges, it's important to shift focus from blaming others to understanding their perspective. This can help resolve issues more effectively.
  3. Concentrating on desired outcomes instead of problems can lead to better solutions. A positive mindset can transform frustration into productive action.

How I've retained top engineers for a decade

startupdreams • 741 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Engineers are loyal when they feel valued and appreciated beyond just salary and equity
  2. Investing in the right hardware and workspaces for engineers can increase productivity and loyalty
  3. Creating an environment where engineers feel valued and respected leads to real loyalty
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Conquering conflicting priorities

Elevate • 79 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Learn to navigate conflicting priorities with tips, methods, and stories.
  2. Prioritize effectively even when every ask feels urgent and time is limited.
  3. Stay focused on tasks by managing interruptions and maintaining a clear sense of direction.

I Screwed Up. Here's What I Learned.

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Strong leadership is not always sufficient. It's important to balance leadership, management, and administration.
  2. Avoid neglecting any of the three leadership imperatives for too long. Juggling them dynamically is crucial.
  3. Leadership involves more than just love. It requires a combination of heart, brain, and bones to be effective.

Unbridled Capitalism Works

Points And Figures • 399 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Unbridled capitalism works: In a capitalist society, businesses must prioritize growth to survive. Without growth, businesses risk failure or acquisition.
  2. Philanthropy and profit: Successful entrepreneurs historically engage in philanthropy after building their businesses. Making money is essential for a business to exist.
  3. Employee culture and strategic decisions: Maintaining employee trust and fully committing to strategic decisions, like pivoting to blockchain, are crucial for the success of a startup.

The Real Reason Americans Are Taking Over The Premier League

Huddle Up • 43 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
🎾 Sports Management
  1. Many American owners are investing in Premier League clubs, with 11 out of 20 teams having American ownership. It's a big shift in the league's dynamics.
  2. These owners aren't just looking for profits; they want to gain influence in how the league is run. This could lead to major changes in operations.
  3. The trend isn't just in the Premier League; a lot of teams in the Championship are also owned by Americans, showing the growing American presence in English football.

✅ Misstep to model: Women in PR's exemplary response to diversity shortcomings

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Women in PR faced criticism for not including diverse voices in their Shadow Board, which was a big disappointment considering their goal of promoting women in leadership.
  2. In response, they quickly took action by reviewing their practices and setting goals to improve representation and create a more inclusive culture.
  3. Their example shows how organizations can learn from mistakes and genuinely commit to making meaningful changes for diversity and inclusion.

The emotionally informed company

benn.substack • 613 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Correlations are important indicators, not necessarily causal relationships.
  2. Emotions play a significant role in decision-making and should not be dismissed.
  3. Companies should be informed by emotions, not solely driven by them, allowing for daring decisions.

Managing Too Many People Is a Trap

The Engineering Leader • 59 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Expanding your team should focus on impact, not just headcount.
  2. Managing too many people can lead to pitfalls like lack of attention, micromanagement, and burnout.
  3. Career progression in management involves influencing other teams, taking on more scope, and focusing on impactful leadership rather than just managing more people.

How to Receive Feedback

Build To Scale • 59 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Candid feedback is valuable, seek it out even when it's not all positive.
  2. Receiving feedback graciously and learning from it is crucial for personal and professional growth.
  3. Actively seek honest feedback from trusted sources, listen without immediately reacting, and work on areas for improvement over time.

Breaking Free Of Endless Discussion Loops

PeopleStorming • 79 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Consider setting a 'doc-time' protocol to convert lengthy, unproductive discussions into written documents to ensure clear progress and avoid wasting time.
  2. Include sections like context, why the problem matters, who is involved, discussion history, proposed alternatives, and decision-making process in the document.
  3. Encourage clear ownership and empower team members to drive the process of transitioning from discussion to document for more effective and efficient communication.

Ivory towers jeopardize value creation

Ageling on Agile • 59 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Ivory towers in organizations can create conflict and hinder collaboration between teams with different objectives.
  2. To foster value creation, it's essential for individuals in leadership positions to step down from ivory towers and actively collaborate with all stakeholders.
  3. Blocking the learning loop by maintaining ivory towers can lead to wasted time, effort, and money, hindering the organization's ability to adapt in a fast-changing world.

How to be more Effective.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
💼 Business Management
  1. Time is the most valuable asset we have, and how we use it shapes our lives. Successful people focus on using their time wisely to achieve their goals.
  2. In any interaction, it's important to give rather than take. Approaching meetings with generosity and empathy helps create meaningful connections.
  3. Feedback is essential for improvement. To get better, we should give constructive feedback and also seek it actively from others.

Down-to-earth guide to Engineering KPIs

🔮 Crafting Tech Teams • 99 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Measuring team performance with KPIs can be chaotic and fascinating, revealing patterns and challenges in the process.
  2. Individual contributions can influence team behavior towards gaming KPIs, leading to increased numbers but decreased satisfaction.
  3. Balancing the use of KPIs in team management is crucial to prevent negative impacts on client relationships, employee satisfaction, and business outcomes.

✅ Monday briefing: Celebrating 150 Substack newsletters

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
💼 Business Management
  1. The newsletter has celebrated its 150th edition, continuing since it started during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. It's designed to help readers understand weekly top stories in their community.
  2. There are growing concerns about issues like greenwashing and the unequal payment for news subscriptions. Many people want diverse news sources but struggle to find value in paying for them.
  3. AI technology is rapidly evolving, with tools like ChatGPT now having internet access. This raises questions about how AI should be regulated globally as it becomes more integrated into various sectors.

"A Problem With Authority"—The Person You Think You Are Punching May Not Exist

72 Degrees North • 59 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Management
  1. There may not be people who inherently have a problem with authority, it could be a construct created by workplace environments.
  2. Disobeying authority doesn't necessarily stem from resistance to orders, but could be rooted in impatience, arrogance, or ego.
  3. Corporate hierarchy and authority can sometimes be arbitrary and driven by societal norms rather than individual merit or charisma.

Setting and Measuring Objectives

Build To Scale • 98 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Setting clear and achievable objectives is crucial for organizational success. Avoid overly ambitious goals that may lead to dysfunctionality.
  2. Use a straightforward approach like SMART goals for setting objectives. Regular follow-ups help assess progress and address obstacles.
  3. Promote collaboration and alignment among departments in goal-setting. Encourage transparency, accountability, and coordination across the organization.

People > Principles > Process > Product

Fish Food for Thought • 47 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Management
  1. You should focus on people first, then principles, processes, and finally the product. People are the foundation of any successful team.
  2. Establish clear principles to guide your team's decisions. This helps everyone stay aligned and work effectively toward common goals.
  3. Once the team and principles are in place, develop processes that create structure and support. This prepares you to finally focus on improving the product itself.

Managing people you don't like

Leading Developers • 111 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
💼 Business Management
  1. It's important to recognize that your personal biases can affect how you view coworkers. Sometimes, just because you don't like someone personally doesn't mean they aren't valuable to the team.
  2. Diverse teams are often more productive and successful. Focusing only on people you personally get along with can lead to missing out on talented individuals who bring different skills and perspectives.
  3. To manage effectively, you should examine your biases, focus on each person's strengths, and adapt your communication style. This will help create a better work environment for everyone.

Optimise for Change when Pressured for Features

🔮 Crafting Tech Teams • 39 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Businesses with low outcomes for big budgets may get stuck in a negative feedback cycle due to perceived ineffectiveness, leading to frugality and pressure.
  2. When pressured for features, it's important for teams to optimize for change to adapt to evolving demands and challenges.
  3. Optimizing for change in high-pressure situations can help businesses break free from stagnant cycles and drive better outcomes for their investments.

Being an Engineering Manager at IKEA businesses

Leading Developers • 59 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
💼 Business Management
  1. Working in a big company like IKEA means understanding its history and complexity. Engineers need to be humble and learn from the existing systems and processes before proposing changes.
  2. Communication and collaboration are key. New engineering managers should focus on making meetings productive and should not rely too much on consultants to solve problems.
  3. Engineers at IKEA are expected to engage deeply with the business. It's important to know how things work beyond just coding, and it's essential to build relationships and trust within teams.

Wandering In the Tall Weeds

The Radar • 59 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
💼 Business Management
  1. In the corporate world, mismanagement of talent can lead to catastrophic outcomes such as financial strain, loss of critical knowledge, and decreased morale among remaining team members.
  2. People leave their jobs primarily due to poor management, including factors like work/life balance, insufficient compensation, lack of growth opportunities, and bad bosses.
  3. Insecurity caused by unclear communication, downsizing, and pay cuts can trigger regrettable attrition, where valuable talent leaves, leading to mediocrity and strategic failure.

Results follow incentives

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
💼 Business Management
  1. Incentives drive behavior. If rewards don't match what you want, people will act in ways that aren't helpful.
  2. Poorly designed incentives can lead to unexpected problems, like people breeding snakes or cutting rat tails instead of solving the actual issues.
  3. It's important to think carefully about how you reward people, as the right incentives can lead to better outcomes and higher productivity.

How to Build a World Class Engternship Program

Jake [Building in NYC] • 39 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Internship programs often fail because interns get little guidance and engage in low-value projects. Startups need to realize that internships shouldn't just be about cheap labor but setting interns up for success.
  2. Effective internships focus on growth and clear expectations. Setting clear roles and feedback practices helps interns feel engaged and lets them know how to succeed.
  3. Building a supportive culture is key. Grouping interns, encouraging pair programming, and giving them ownership of tasks help create a positive learning environment.

The Startup Engineering Manager - achieving a bigger impact with a smaller team

Leading Developers • 43 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
💼 Business Management
  1. The course is designed to help startup engineering managers make a bigger impact with fewer resources. It focuses on giving practical tools that can be used immediately.
  2. Participants will receive personalized support through one-on-one sessions to address their specific challenges and improve their management skills.
  3. The course promises a money-back guarantee, offering a full refund plus an extra $200 if participants don't see results, ensuring accountability and quality.

Bits, Bytes, and Bylaws: Timeless Computing Laws (Part - 2)

Wisdom over Waves • 59 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Management
  1. Adding more people to a late software project can make it even later due to various factors like onboarding time, increased coordination needs, and additional deployments causing outages.
  2. When a measure becomes the target, it loses its effectiveness, leading to actions like renaming variables or engaging in practices that prioritize metrics over true code quality.
  3. The structure of the software often mirrors the communication structure of the organization that designed it, showcasing the impact of company dynamics on software architecture.

Bridging the ask vs guess culture gap at work

Tech and Tea • 493 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Reduce clashes by increasing shared context between ask culture and guess culture at work
  2. Set clear expectations around asking for help to bridge the gap between communication styles
  3. Help guess-culture coworkers gain clarity on their career development goals and preferences

6 reasons why the senior leadership doesn't take you seriously

Leading Developers • 130 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Being careful with how you communicate is important. Saying things in a sensitive way, especially when delivering bad news, can make a big difference in how people perceive you.
  2. It's crucial to present yourself confidently, regardless of age or experience. When you're sure of your abilities, others will trust you more and you will be taken more seriously.
  3. Clearly explaining what you expect from your team helps them perform better. Being explicit in your communication can support them in achieving their goals without confusion.

Group meetings waste time

Respectful Leadership • 108 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
💼 Business Management
  1. Group meetings can take too long and often don't use everyone's time well. Fewer people in meetings may lead to better and faster decisions.
  2. It's helpful to have a single person from each team act as a bridge during meetings. This keeps the focus on their main jobs while still solving issues together.
  3. A good manager knows when to end long discussions and helps keep teams on track. The best solution may be to avoid unnecessary meetings altogether.