52 Weeks. 52 Questions.

52 weeks. 52 questions. That was a challenge I set myself.

For the past year, I’ve posted a response to a question on LinkedIn each week. Together they’re basically a year of what Engineering Managers actually struggle with.

From delegation to decision-making. Team culture to career goals. Stakeholder pressure to recognition. And much more!

It’s all the things that takes up headspace every week.

Here they all are:

1. What is your team seeking permission from you on?
2. When is your reflection time scheduled for this week?
3. How are you easing team members into work after their holiday?
4. What decision are you struggling to make?
5. Are you being the role model your team needs?
6. What’s one brave thing you can do this week?
7. Are you using the superpowers your team has?
8. How’s the relationship with your Product Manager?
9. How do you manage all the context switching?
10. How do you manage people as an introvert?
11. How do you manage stepping back from the code as an EM?
12. How does your calendar look this week?
13. How good are your delegation skills?
14. When did you last thank someone on your team?
15. How do you handle gossip in your team?
16. Is your recognition sending the right message?
17. Are you a proactive or reactive manager?
18. Are your year-end reviews developmental or just transactional?
19. When was the last time you laughed with your team?
20. Did you grow as an EM this year or just get busier?
21. What career goal do you want to hit in 2026?
22. What management habit are you leaving behind in 2025?
23. How do you keep your team’s energy up in January?
24. How can you make goal setting a valuable exercise?
25. How do you handle engineers who don’t have any goals?
26. Are you making the most of your 1:1s with your team?
27. How do you give growth opportunities without a promotion?
28. Do you feel in ‘defensive mode’ all the time?
29. Are you able to truly offload to someone?
30. Are you stuck between stakeholder pressure and protecting your team?
31. Are you observing your team or just managing them?
32. Do you ask your team “What do you think we should do?”
33. Do you struggle in 1:1s with people who don’t say much?
34. How do you protect your most productive times?
35. Do you use a 1st Team mindset?
36. How do you keep your team motivated when work isn’t exciting?
37. Do you have a ‘managing up’ strategy?
38. How do you protect your team from senior leader interference?
39. Do you separate your performance & career conversations?
40. When did you last give recognition that stuck?
41. How do you manage strong personalities?
42. How do you tell someone they’re not ready for promotion?
43. Is imposter syndrome impacting your confidence?
44. Is using AI in your team creating more pressure?
45. Will new hires remember onboarding for the right reasons?
46. What do you do when growth means someone leaving your team?
47. How do you connect company goals to an engineer’s individual growth?
48. How do you encourage yourself?
49. Are you making the reason for change about you?
50. How are you empowering your team?
51. How are you preparing for your next career move?
52. Are you able to think in the moment?