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I’m passionate about helping you build the social skills you need to elevate your life personally and professionally.
Each video is easy to follow with practical advice and actionable steps you can put into practice - no matter where your starting point is.
Don’t miss a video - Stay up to date on each video release by subscribing to my channel now.
I publish new YouTube videos each week on:
Understanding people
Building relationships
Negotiating and influencing
Handling fear of rejection and avoidance
Attracting people, winning them over
Initiating conversations
Sharpening your listening skills
And much more!
Effective Delegation Strategies for Engineering Managers | 5 Step Framework
Are you facing challenges with delegation in your role as an engineering manager or tech leader?
In this episode, you’ll learn a dynamic five-step framework that will revolutionize the way you delegate tasks and responsibilities to your team - so that you can overcome common delegation challenges, multiply your time, and increase your impact on your team, as well as throughout your organization.
You’ll also learn how to reshape your mindset, handpick the right team members, establish crystal-clear expectations, offer robust support, and cultivate unwavering trust. Unlock the potential of your leadership and empower your team's success by incorporating these strategic techniques.
The Top Delegation Challenges Engineering Managers and Tech Leaders Face (and How to Overcome Them)
Are you an engineering manager or tech leader who’s striving to scale up in your role and career advancement?
Discover the ultimate secret that's been holding you back from reaching the next level: effective delegation.
In this episode, leadership coach Doug Howard dives deep into why mastering the art of delegation is the key to skyrocketing your impact and creating more time in your day.
Time Management Tips for Engineering Managers and Tech Leaders
Are you an engineering manager or technical leader struggling to advance in your role due to the constant overwhelm of tasks and responsibilities?
In this episode, we delve into the core reason why many engineering managers and technical leaders find it hard to scale up in your role and advance to the next level of your career - and in most cases, it’s the lack of effective time management.
Watch this episode to discover a new perspective on time that can transform how you approach your work. You’ll also learn how to break free from the perpetual busyness trap and allocate your time effectively - by categorizing tasks, focusing on the critical and urgent, and exploring delegation possibilities, you can regain control over your schedule and pave the way to professional growth.
How the Bad Leadership Cycle in Engineering is Burning Out Engineers and Stifling Innovation
Are you tired of the unspoken challenges in engineering leadership? There is a bad leadership cycle within the engineering industry and this cycle is creating huge issues throughout the industry because nobody's talking about it.
Join me in this episode as I explain what it is, how it's impacting your career, and what you can do about it. You'll learn what the Bad Leadership Cycle is in engineering and why it's a hidden dilemma plaguing the engineering industry as well as the domino effects of bad leadership and how it leads to burn out, innovation stagnation, and ultimately turnover.
Don't let the bad leadership cycle hold you back! Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting out, this episode offers invaluable insights to transform your leadership skills and enhance your career.
Engineer Career Coach Shares Secrets on How to Apply Up and Get Promoted (Part 2 of 2)
Are you an engineer looking to move up to a position one level higher?
In this episode, Nader Mowlaee (Engineering Career Coach and Technical Recruiter) shares his best strategies for writing a resume, optimizing your LinkedIn profile, networking to create inroads, and interviewing strategies for when you are applying for a position that is one level up - such as going from individual contributor engineer to engineer manager, or, going from engineering manager to director of engineering.
Nader explains that the key to getting hired for a position one level up is to focus on the problems you can solve and the impact you can make for the company. He also emphasizes the importance of communicating your passion for the company and its products. And he shares specific strategies for how to do this!
If you're ready to take your engineering career to the next level, listen to this episode for Nader's expert advice on how to apply for a position one level up!
How to Apply Up for a Position One Level Higher in Engineering and Tech (Part 1 of 2)
Are you an engineer looking to move up to a position one level higher?
In this episode, Nader Mowlaee (Engineering Career Coach and Technical Recruiter) shares his best strategies for writing a resume, optimizing your LinkedIn profile, networking to create inroads, and interviewing strategies for when you are applying for a position that is one level up - such as going from individual contributor engineer to engineer manager, or, going from engineering manager to director of engineering.
Nader explains that the key to getting hired for a position one level up is to focus on the problems you can solve and the impact you can make for the company. He also emphasizes the importance of communicating your passion for the company and its products. And he shares specific strategies for how to do this!
If you're ready to take your engineering career to the next level, listen to this episode for Nader's expert advice on how to apply for a position one level up!
How to Deal with Difficult Employee as a New Manager | Advice for Engineering Leaders
Are you a new manager struggling to handle a challenging senior direct report?
In this episode, join Doug Howard as he shares a simple yet effective approach to change the dynamic and build rapport with difficult senior-level employees. Discover the reasons behind difficult behavior and learn how to understand their perspective. Learn how to navigate challenging situations with senior-level direct reports. Gain insights into their perspective and build effective communication channels. Doug shares his personal experience and provides practical techniques for successfully managing challenging relationships.
Don't miss this valuable episode for engineering leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills.
How to Motivate an Underperforming Direct Report in 1 Conversation | Leadership Training
Are you an engineering manager facing the challenge of motivating a younger direct report to take ownership of their performance? In this episode, join Doug Howard PE as he shares a powerful conversation technique to help struggling employees turn their performance around. Discover how to handle underperforming team members without resorting to micromanagement and gain actionable steps to apply this approach in your leadership role.
Empower your team to exceed expectations by unlocking the potential of your direct reports and creating a positive work environment. Don't miss out on valuable insights for engineering managers looking to enhance their leadership skills.
How to Quantify ROI on Personal Growth and Professional Development
Are you struggling to make an investment in your personal growth because you can't quantify the Return on Investment? As you advance in engineering leadership positions, the skills become subjective and harder to quantify. Stop spinning your wheels! In this episode, Doug Howard explains why quantifying ROI is crucial and presents a step-by-step process to help you make the right decision for your engineering career.
Discover a simple framework for quantifying the ROI on intangible investments in your personal growth and professional development. Plus, get access to a FREE ROI Calculator that transforms subjective criteria into quantifiable metrics, giving you confidence in your decision.
How to Deal With a Toxic Boss Without Quitting | Do These 3 Things | Advice from Engineering Manager
Many engineers and engineering managers are stuck inside toxic work environments and working for bad managers. It’s a growing trend that’s creating many downstream problems because if you work for a bad boss in a toxic work environment for too long, it stunts your professional growth and destroys your confidence, mental health - and perhaps your career!
For most people quitting or finding a new job isn’t always a realistic or timely option, but if you can’t avoid the problem it will only get worse.
This video shows you 3 ways to take control over the situation - so that you can set clear boundaries with your bad manager, and use your bad boss to your advantage.
5 Keys to Navigating Difficult Conversations at Work | Leadership Training for Engineering Managers
Struggling with difficult conversations at work?
As an engineering manager or tech leader, it's essential to navigate conflicts, provide feedback, and discuss sensitive topics effectively - and this episode emphasizes the importance of:
Preparation, fact gathering, and setting clear goals
Choosing the right time and place
Framing difficult conversations positively
Considering the other person's perspective
Fostering solution-focused open dialogue
You’ll learn 5 powerful strategies (like 'giving them an out' to alleviate tension and create a supportive atmosphere) for mastering tough conversations with your team, colleagues, and even your boss - so that you can unlock the power of effective communication, become a more effective engineering manager, and tackle difficult conversations head-on to excel in your role as a leader!
Why Engineering Managers and Technical Leaders Struggle With Giving Negative Feedback | 10 Reasons
If you’re an engineering manager or technical leader, there’s a good chance you struggle with giving constructive criticism or negative feedback in a positive way. As an engineering manager myself, I understand the unique hurdles and complexities that come with providing constructive feedback to your team - and I also know how to help you overcome them!
The first step in building this critical skill is recognizing the 10 most common barriers that are holding you back from effectively providing your team with constructive feedback.
By understanding these obstacles and implementing practical strategies, engineering managers can overcome them, enhance their leadership abilities, and foster a supportive feedback culture within their teams.
12 Reasons Why Constructive Feedback is A Critical Skill for Engineering Managers + Technical Leaders
When you’re an engineering manager or technical leader, providing clear and effective constructive feedback to your team is critical to your overall effectiveness and success!
This eye-opening episode is packed with valuable insights for engineering managers who want to create a feedback-rich environment that drives innovation, fosters growth, and delivers exceptional project outcomes.
We’ll explore the 12 consequential outcomes of not providing constructive feedback to your team - from missed learning opportunities and stagnant individual growth, to diminished team dynamics and reduced productivity.
You’ll also discover how avoiding negative feedback kills employee engagement, leads to increased turnover, weakens manager-employee relationships - as well as its negative impact on organizational culture, accountability, and alignment with goals.
How Should You Respond When An Employee Resigns? | Leadership Training for Engineering Managers
What to do when your top-performing employee resigns: A guide to handling their departure with professionalism and grace.
Managing employee turnover is a common challenge for engineering managers - and anyone who manages people. Employees come and go, and replacing them is part of the job. However, when a highly valuable member of your team announces their departure, it can be particularly challenging.
It is crucial to handle this situation with care, considering various factors and ensuring minimal impact on the team and the departing employee
Understanding the reasons why good employees leave and knowing how to respond is essential. In some cases, employee departures are straightforward, with reasonable performers who are easily replaceable or contractors for whom turnover is expected.
However, what do you do when the one person you least want to lose from your team informs you of their departure? This is a difficult experience for any team leader, as it requires careful consideration of multiple aspects. As a leader, your responsibility is to mitigate any lasting negative effects on the team and the departing employee.
This video explains 5 most constructive actions you should take to make sure your team stays focused, productive, and positive during this transition period.
How to Convince a Top Performing Employee to Stay After Resigning | Advice for Engineering Managers
When one of your top performing engineers gives their notice, it creates a negative impact on your team’s productivity and morale - and it creates many issues that you don’t have time for either, like hiring, onboarding, and training their replacement without missing a beat.
If one of your top performers just gave their notice, don’t panic - in this video, I explain how you can convince them to stay, without even getting HR involved!
How to Make Sure People Listen and Understand You | Leadership Training for Engineering Managers
Engineering managers and technology leaders can’t afford communication breakdowns in the workplace. Most miscommunications in engineering can be prevented by a simple active listening technique for making sure their directions are communicated clearly - as well as effectively received by the listener!
In this episode, you’ll learn
Why most miscommunications and misunderstandings happen in engineering - or anywhere
A 2-way listening technique (empathic listening) for making sure you understood what they said, and vice/versa
Why Engineers Struggle with Confidence and Speaking Up At Work | Improving Your Confidence
If you’re an engineer who struggles with confidence, imposter syndrome, self-expression, leadership, or setting boundaries - there’s a good chance you’re not looking in the right place for the solution.
John Chao is a Perspective Coach with a background in HR with global aerospace engineering companies - and in this video, he shares insights on why most engineers struggle in these areas, how it impacts your career, and what you can do about it!
How to Give Constructive Feedback Without the Stress | Leadership Training for Engineers
As an engineering leader, you need to make sure every engineer on your team does the job right - which means you have to give constructive feedback and deliver your message in a way that influences, motivates, and inspires the engineer to WANT to improve their performance.
This is a critical skill for engineering managers, yet most engineering managers don’t know how to give constructive feedback to employees or peers - or they avoid it all together because it’s uncomfortable - which allows the problems to continue.
In this video, I’m going to explain where most engineering managers go wrong - with respect to giving effective constructive feedback. You’re also going to learn a simple framework for giving constructive feedback in a way that actually gets results - and without the stress!
Moving From Individual Contributor to Managing Remote Team of Engineers | Interview Vince Marvin
Moving from individual contributor into your first leadership role is challenging enough by itself - but when you’re managing an entirely remote team of engineers that’s based in different time zones throughout the country adds another layer of complexities in your first 90 days.
Check out this interview with Vince Marvin to hear his story and learn how he overcame these challenges.
Improve Your Listening Skills by End of This Video | Leadership Training for Engineering Managers
If you want to be a great engineering manager or leader, you need to be a great listener. When you listen, it lets other people know that you value and appreciate them - as well as what they have to say - which is why listening is the fastest and most effective way to build rapport, trust, credibility, mutual respect, and loyalty.
However, many engineering leaders aren’t aware of this - and most people never actually learned how to effectively listen! Meanwhile, in today’s digital work environment, listening is harder than ever - with waves of information competing for our attention every minute.
In this episode, you’re going to learn the 3 main reasons why people struggle with listening - along with 3 techniques that will immediately improve your listening skills!