The hottest Management Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

#50: Leaving money on the table

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 14 Oct 20
💼 Business Management
  1. Being prepared for uncertainty may seem like a waste, but it's actually important. It helps businesses adapt when things go wrong.
  2. Being fair to employees, customers, and suppliers pays off in the long run. If you treat them well, they are more likely to help you in tough times.
  3. Operating responsibly might look inefficient, but it creates flexibility. This flexibility is a valuable resource that businesses can rely on during unpredictable situations.

Changing my mind on whether managers should keep coding

peoplefirstengineering • 8 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Management
  1. It's important for managers to stay connected to coding, as it helps them empathize with their team. Being hands-on can improve understanding of the challenges engineers face.
  2. Empathy in leadership goes beyond just understanding tasks; it involves recognizing individual emotions and how they affect performance. Good managers should tailor their support based on team members' unique situations.
  3. Challenges in coding create a shared experience among team members. Managers who code can better relate to the ups and downs, building trust and a stronger team dynamic.

#49: The work of uncertainty

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 07 Oct 20
💼 Business Management
  1. Valuable work today involves adapting and innovating constantly. This means being open to changes in roles as work evolves.
  2. Open-ended roles can lead to worker exploitation if not managed properly, especially for those with low job value. High-value workers, however, can thrive in such flexible environments.
  3. Using open-ended roles and negotiation helps teams evolve and adapt to new challenges. This is crucial for jobs that deal with uncertainty and require creative problem-solving.
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It’s not about the bike

The Jolly Contrarian • 39 implied HN points • 26 Mar 21
💼 Business Management
  1. Legal negotiations can serve as a 'significance signifier' of one's commitment in a business relationship.
  2. Before investing in new technologies or innovations, focus on fixing broken processes first to ensure lasting value.
  3. In a crisis, technology should not complicate situations further and should be designed to not interfere with diagnostics and resolution.

Train your employees

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
💼 Business Management
  1. Middle managers play a big role in how well training programs work in companies. If they support and encourage training, employees are more likely to participate.
  2. Teams with managers who focus on training tend to perform better and have lower absenteeism, especially during tough times. Good management leads to happier and more engaged employees.
  3. Simply having a training program isn’t enough; it needs strong support from management to make a real difference in employee growth and company performance.

So You Want to Launch a Hedge Fund?

Net Interest • 32 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Launching a hedge fund requires significant seed capital and navigating fee compression.
  2. Running a hedge fund involves challenges like managing business operations and client relations.
  3. Joining a pod shop within a multi-strategy fund can provide advantages in terms of resources and scalability.

There's a forest in the trees?

Tribal Knowledge • 19 implied HN points • 02 May 22
💼 Business Management
  1. Having a high attention to detail can be both an asset and a weakness, allowing you to see the little things but potentially missing the big picture.
  2. Managing context switching can be tough, especially in roles where you need to be involved in different subjects concurrently.
  3. Taking notes and reducing the number of priorities can help in combating context switching and cognitive overload.

Repairing the sales <> marketing relationship

Mehdeeka • 3 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💼 Business Management
  1. Sales and marketing need to work better together. Just being friends isn't enough; they should share feedback and support each other more.
  2. Pick one salesperson to collaborate with and understand their needs. This focused approach helps build a strong working relationship.
  3. Always acknowledge feedback from the sales team. When they see their suggestions used, they'll feel more invested and likely to collaborate in the future.

How to fit into startup culture

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 27 May 22
💼 Business Management
  1. In startup culture, it's important to recognize that many things are seen as 'broken.' Instead of making small improvements, you should embrace the mindset that big changes are needed.
  2. Using language from manufacturing can help you fit in. Words like 'build,' 'ship,' and 'tinker' are commonly used in tech. Adopting this language can make you feel more like part of the team.
  3. Startups thrive in chaos and uncertainty. Instead of trying to create order and processes, focus on building relationships and influencing others to get things done.

Two key areas to focus on to get promoted and do well in your job. Practical advice from Luca Rossi of Refactoring.

Askwhy: UX Research, Product Management, Design & Careers • 33 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Great engineers deeply understand tradeoffs and communicate well with others, not just master technical skills.
  2. Invest in talking with mentors and peers for high ROI in learning and growth.
  3. Effective collaboration involves continuous back and forth between engineering, product, and design, not following a linear pipeline.

Agile for Anarchists

Into the Hedge • 1 HN point • 01 May 24
💼 Business Management
  1. The PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) system, rooted in an anarchic ethos, is successfully used on a farm to manage work without needing authoritarian supervision.
  2. Despite challenges, PDCA can be effective in corporate environments, but it may require adaptation and a supportive workplace to thrive.
  3. Regular meetings following the steps of PDCA help the farm team review and plan their work, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.

LSW 21 👑What's your style?

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 30 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
💼 Business Management
  1. There is no one universal leadership style; effective leaders have a variety of different styles.
  2. It is essential to understand your own unique leadership style and its blindspots.
  3. Identifying your default tendencies in leadership style can help you recognize blindspots and consider different approaches.

How TPM Bridge Communication Gaps Between Tech and Non-Tech Teams

Building Rome(s) • 5 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
💼 Business Management
  1. Technical and non-technical teams often struggle because they don't share a common language. Clear communication is essential for collaboration.
  2. Using the 'Triangle of Translation' (Time, Money, Impact) can help bridge the communication gap. It allows teams to understand each other's priorities better.
  3. Focusing on clarity and empathy in discussions leads to better teamwork and improved product delivery. When everyone speaks the same language, trust is built.

Trends to Watch in 2021 and Best Books of 2020

Gradient Flow • 39 implied HN points • 31 Dec 20
🕹 Technology Management
  1. The post highlights key AI and data trends for 2021, with a focus on managing data-focused teams and upcoming trends to watch out for.
  2. A selection of recommended books from 2020 covers a wide range of topics, from data analytics and machine learning to history, biography, security, and big tech.
  3. The author provides a glimpse into personal experiences in 2019, like visiting the longest zipline in the world, and sends well wishes for 2021.

LSW#18 🤔Do You MBWA?

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 30 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Practice MBWA (Managing by Wandering Around) can be more effective than an MBA.
  2. Effective leadership involves understanding the work of your team and being visible and accessible.
  3. Engage in casual conversations and networking within and outside your organization to enhance success and effectiveness.

How to Build Influence as an Engineering Leader | Kelly Vaughn

Dev Interrupted • 14 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Building influence as an engineering leader requires focusing on trust, communication, and empowerment to succeed in both individual contributor and managerial roles.
  2. Adopting GenAI can be challenging due to the pressure of the hype cycle, and understanding key considerations is crucial for successful implementation.
  3. Having hard deadlines can significantly impact productivity and response rates, highlighting the importance of leveraging deadlines to improve team tempo and cadence.

The Importance of Engineering Managers

Fish Food for Thought • 20 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Effective management is crucial for organizational success, as evidenced by various studies and theories.
  2. Investing in managerial development and providing training for new managers is essential.
  3. Poor management can have significant negative impacts, leading to disengagement, decreased productivity, and attrition.

Nine rules for effective meetings

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Every meeting should have a clear leader and a specific purpose. This helps everyone know what to focus on and what to achieve.
  2. It's important to keep everyone involved in the discussion, but also to stay on topic. This means selecting participants carefully and using tools to stay organized.
  3. Conclude meetings with clear actions and responsibilities. This ensures that everyone knows what they need to do next and helps keep things moving forward.

They should have fired him

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 1 HN point • 21 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Management
  1. Transitioning to a traditional job from freelance work can be a significant change in routine and responsibilities.
  2. Challenges and growth opportunities can arise when tasked with larger, more ambiguous projects that test technical abilities.
  3. Recognizing toxic behavior in oneself or others, such as being uncooperative and rude, is essential in maintaining a positive work environment.

Convergence Points

Building Rome(s) • 15 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Effective organizations succeed through quick movement, nimbleness, decision-making, and goal achievement.
  2. Meaningful conversations serve as crucial convergence points in successful cross-functional projects.
  3. Processes can hinder communication if they don't facilitate conversations; prioritize conversational effectiveness.

Scrum - use the good parts too!

Nikola’s Substack • 1 HN point • 20 Apr 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Consider streamlining meetings in Scrum - fewer, more effective meetings can be beneficial.
  2. Simplify story points and estimations in Scrum by setting straightforward guidelines to avoid confusion and enhance planning.
  3. Maintain the core strengths of Scrum like sprint structure and the Scrum Master role, while adapting them to best suit the team and project needs.

[P] HSY: Succession Alternatives

Nongaap Investing • 5 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
💼 Business Management
  1. Hershey is considering different options for leadership succession. It's important for companies to have a plan for who will lead them in the future.
  2. The article shares insights on evaluating these succession options at Hershey. Understanding different leadership paths can help the company maintain stability.
  3. Having a clear succession plan can also help reassure investors and employees. It's crucial for the company's ongoing success and growth.

Engineering Efficiency vs. Engineering Experience - Problem #5

Fish Food for Thought • 6 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Businesses should focus on creating a positive Developer Experience (DevEx) instead of just looking at productivity numbers like lines of code. This helps developers thrive and leads to better products.
  2. Supporting a good DevEx can help keep talented developers at a company, reducing turnover and recruitment costs. Happy developers are more likely to stay and work effectively.
  3. Finding a balance between engineering efficiency and the overall experience of developers is key. When companies prioritize both, they can deliver higher-quality products and encourage long-term innovation.

Why do startups have Boards of Directors?

Entry Level Investing • 16 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Public companies have boards to protect shareholders from decisions made by management at their expense.
  2. Private equity firm boards are an extension of the firm itself, making major decisions about their companies.
  3. Startup boards, even when founder-controlled, provide good governance, lead to better outcomes, and offer valuable insights and support.

#5: Cool-climate oceanside

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 19
💼 Business Management
  1. The uncertainty mindset means understanding that the future is unpredictable. It allows a person to remain open to new information and possibilities.
  2. Mindsets influence how we think and act. A flexible mindset helps us adapt to changes and can lead to new opportunities for growth.
  3. Leaders can encourage an uncertainty mindset in their teams. This involves being honest about uncertainty and helping employees feel comfortable navigating it.

Leading with Empathy

The Future CEO • 1 HN point • 11 Apr 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Understanding how to ask for help and support others in the workplace is crucial to building a positive culture.
  2. There are diverse reasons individuals seek help, from coping with pressures to fostering a sense of belonging and support.
  3. True support extends beyond technical problem-solving; it involves active listening, empathy, and understanding unique perspectives to provide meaningful help.

1-on-1s: Essential or Overrated?

PeopleStorming • 1 HN point • 10 Apr 24
💼 Business Management
  1. on-1 meetings can be essential for keeping organizations aligned, motivated, and supported.
  2. Consider the effectiveness of 1-on-1 meetings in achieving common business goals and their alternatives.
  3. Prioritize outcomes such as personal connection, growth support, and driving delivery over the activity of having 1-on-1 meetings.

[P] BL: Accounting for Henshall

Nongaap Investing • 5 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
💼 Business Management
  1. BlackLine has a new director known for his skill in mergers and acquisitions. People are curious if he can help the company grow through strategic takeouts.
  2. Nongaap investing focuses on understanding the true value of companies beyond just their financial reports. This approach can give investors a better idea of potential investments.
  3. The content shared is meant for paid subscribers, indicating a focus on delivering exclusive and premium insights.

👨‍💻👩‍💻 Product Management vs. Product Marketing vs. Project Management: A Guide to Choosing Your Career Path

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 6 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Management
  1. Product management is about creating a product that meets customer needs and involves strategy and teamwork. If you like big-picture thinking and technology, this role might be for you.
  2. Product marketing focuses on promoting and selling a product through messaging and campaigns. If you enjoy creativity and connecting with customers, product marketing could be a good fit.
  3. Project management is all about making sure projects run smoothly on time and within budget. If you have strong organizational skills and like leading teams, project management may be your best path.

25/36 : 🛠️ McKinsey's Problem-solving Process

Product Mindset's Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
💼 Business Management
  1. Problem-solving for Product Managers involves analytical thinking, creative ideation, and data-driven insights to address challenges and meet customer demands.
  2. Problems can be categorized as simple, well-structured, or ill-structured, with ill-structured problems being complex, having multiple solutions, and requiring higher-order thinking skills.
  3. McKinsey's Problem-solving Process focuses on starting with a hypothesis, leveraging intuition, doing efficient research, storytelling with data, prewiring for buy-in, hitting singles, and respecting time.