Cultivating Trust in Your Engineering Team: Clear Communication, Deadlines, Deliverables, and Problem-Solving
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Do you trust your engineering team?
Engineering is the backbone of your tech company. The success of your business relies heavily on the effectiveness of your engineering team. But a question that many non-technical founders and executives struggle with is, "Do I trust my engineering team?"
To answer this question, let's delve into four key aspects you should consider.
Clear Answers for Business Questions
Communication is crucial, particularly in areas of business where technical and non-technical minds meet. When you ask questions, are the answers you receive clear, concise, and free of jargon? Ambiguity and indecisiveness have no place in effective engineering communication. Engineers should provide clear-cut answers or follow-up with detailed clarifications for complex matters.
Rough Deadlines and Estimations
Engineering can be unpredictable, but that doesn't mean you should be kept in the dark about timelines. When presented with a new task or project, your engineering team should be able to provide at least rough estimates of the timeline and potential hurdles. If they don't, prompt them. Deadlines aren't just for the sake of business timelines—they also help engineers structure their work.
Record of Successful Deliverables
Trust is built on a proven track record. A reliable engineering team should have a history of successful deliverables, all meticulously logged and tracked. Objective assessment and authentic feedback are essential. Acknowledgment of success builds morale, but make sure you're celebrating real milestones and not empty victories.
Problem Solvers, Not Problem Presenters
Every company faces challenges, but how your engineering team handles these can be a real testament to their capabilities. Engineers, by nature, should be problem solvers. If your team continually presents problems without proposed solutions, it might be time to reassess. Effective engineers are rational thinkers who thrive on overcoming hurdles, not just pointing them out.
A trusting relationship between non-technical executives and their engineering teams is vital for a company's success. It fosters a harmonious work environment, effective problem-solving, and ultimately, product success.