--- title: Best Leadership posts of 2023 | daily.dev description: The most upvoted Leadership posts of 2023, curated by the daily.dev community. canonical: https://daily.dev/tags/leadership/best-of/2023 twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:site: @dailydotdev og:url: https://daily.dev/tags/leadership/best-of/2023 og:type: website og:site_name: daily.dev og:title: Best Leadership posts of 2023 | daily.dev og:description: The most upvoted Leadership posts of 2023, curated by the daily.dev community. og:image: https://media.daily.dev/image/upload/s--VAY5ToZt--/f_auto/v1724209435/public/daily.dev%20-%20open%20graph --- # Best of Leadership — 2023 1. 1 [](https://daily.dev/posts/soft-skill-books-that-will-make-you-a-better-developer-bpza7fm3x "Soft skill books that will make you a better developer") Article Addy Osmani · 3y Soft skill books that will make you a better developer This article provides a list of soft skill books that can help developers improve their programming and managerial abilities. It covers various topics such as deep focus, high-leverage activities, growth mindset, leadership skills, and more. The article highlights the importance of developing soft skills alongside technical skills for developers. 512 25 2. 2 [](https://daily.dev/posts/15-ai-tools-for-developers-december-2023--usmc6kbtu "15+ AI Tools For Developers (December 2023)") Article Machine Learning News · 3y 15+ AI Tools For Developers (December 2023) Discover AI tools for developers that can enhance code quality, improve productivity, generate code documentation, and automate writing tasks. 313 8 3. 3 [](https://daily.dev/posts/the-future-of-remote-work-zh0bweuge "The Future of Remote Work") Article Stay SaaSy · 3y The Future of Remote Work Some companies are reversing prior decisions to go remote, while others cancel the last of their office space. Debates around the value of remote work have continued feverishly, especially since both sides are incentivized to normalize their own point-of-view. In-person businesses operate with more intensity than remote businesses, on average. 135 12 4. 4 [](https://daily.dev/posts/scrum-sucks--rdfecirbb "Scrum sucks.") Article Community Picks · 3y Scrum sucks. Scrum is an Agile project management system that helps teams deliver value incrementally in a collaborative way. However, the implementation of Scrum in real-world scenarios often leads to complex ceremonies, poor planning, and a lack of true collaboration. Making Scrum work requires teams to take a team-level approach, focusing on flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, and results rather than rigid processes and metrics. 107 14 5. 5 [](https://daily.dev/posts/let-juniors-speak-first-kda7m7ctd "Let juniors speak first") Article swizec.com · 3y Let juniors speak first Engaged engineering teams prioritize the input of their least experienced members, fostering collaboration and valuing diverse perspectives. Seniors encourage juniors to speak up, ask questions, think critically, and contribute early in discussions. The fluidity of roles allows for the empowerment of team members and the sharing of relevant expertise. 83 3 6. 6 [](https://daily.dev/posts/being-a-good-mentor-a-developers-guide-fdn98t6kp "Being a good mentor – a developers guide") Article Community Picks · 3y Being a good mentor – a developers guide Mentoring is an integral part of personal and professional growth, both for the mentor and the mentee. The power of mentorship can shape careers, change mindsets and adapt life trajectories overall. A mentor-mentee relationship, just like any good relationship, needs a sturdy foundation. 79 3 7. 7 [](https://daily.dev/posts/jordan-cutler-path-to-senior-engineer-handbook-all-the-resources-you-need-to-get-to-senior-engineer-jy57xbwq7 "jordan-cutler/path-to-senior-engineer-handbook: All the resources you need to get to Senior Engineer and beyond") Article Community Picks · 3y jordan-cutler/path-to-senior-engineer-handbook: All the resources you need to get to Senior Engineer and beyond A repository containing a curated list of resources to help software engineers reach senior engineer positions and beyond, including newsletters, books, courses, and more. 75 8. 8 [](https://daily.dev/posts/the-software-engineer-s-guidebook-fwtkv9fcf "The Software Engineer's Guidebook") Article Hacker News · 3y The Software Engineer's Guidebook A comprehensive guidebook for software engineers at all career levels, covering a wide range of topics related to software engineering, collaboration, and professional growth. 69 9. 9 [](https://daily.dev/posts/engineering-handbook-vdsbbz0dg "Engineering Handbook") Article Ido Shamun · 3y Engineering Handbook Daily.dev is creating an engineering handbook to streamline processes, normalize culture, and improve collaboration among engineers. The handbook includes sections on expectations, decision records, epic owner and individual contributor roles, communication preferences, and project management. 67 7 10. 10 [](https://daily.dev/posts/a-good-engineer-thinks-like-a-product-manager-jgfel8m0h "A good engineer thinks like a product manager") Article Substack · 3y A good engineer thinks like a product manager Engineers need to think like product managers to create solutions that customers love. They should focus on solving customer's problems rather than the technical aspects. To improve product-mindedness, engineers can pair with non-tech people, explain technical solutions to non-tech people, ask business and customer-related questions, talk directly with customers, do freelance work, and take on different roles. Simplifying solutions before implementation is also crucial for better results. 63 8 11. 11 [](https://daily.dev/posts/what-is-a-staff-engineer--klajkytsz "What is a Staff Engineer?") Article Substack · 3y What is a Staff Engineer? The article discusses the role of a Staff Engineer, including its definition, career progression, and responsibilities. It explores how roles work in big tech firms like FAANG, the different archetypes of Staff Engineers, and the differences between Senior Engineers and Staff Engineers. It also delves into the duties and challenges faced by Staff Engineers, as well as their typical day. The article concludes with insights into the Staff Engineer career path and tips for aspiring Staff Engineers. 60 3 12. 12 [](https://daily.dev/posts/the-journey-of-becoming-a-cto-kkbo4gxp5 "The Journey of Becoming a CTO") Article Ido Shamun · 3y The Journey of Becoming a CTO The path to becoming a CTO is a journey that evolves along with the company's growth. It starts with coding and product work, then progresses to managing teams and bridging the gap between business and engineering. Lessons include focusing on exponential impact, setting aside time for coding, using prototypes for alignment, and hiring and documenting wisely. The role requires adaptability, flexibility, and continuous learning. 58 2 13. 13 [](https://daily.dev/posts/how-i-became-a-tech-lead-and-what-i-learned-along-the-way-gsbryl0le "How I became a Tech Lead and what I learned along the way") Article Taro · 3y How I became a Tech Lead and what I learned along the way The role of a Tech Lead (TL) is not easy to understand, for several reasons. The TL role is a hybrid one, not quite a manager, and not quite an individual contributor. 54 1 14. 14 [](https://daily.dev/posts/breaking-down-a-design-qu4aeddkz "Breaking down a design") Article Community Picks · 3y Breaking down a design Breaking down a design involves being clear on the outcome and opportunity, doing it at the right moment, presenting the designs in a walkthrough, working at the right fidelity, accepting the CoWs (chunks of work), slicing thinly, identifying releases with outcomes, designing for interim releases, being prepared to trim the tail, checking in against your appetite, and allowing enough time. 43 15. 15 [](https://daily.dev/posts/how-to-go-from-senior-to-lead-btba9scba "How to go from Senior to Lead") Article swizec.com · 3y How to go from Senior to Lead Learn how to transition from a senior engineer to a lead engineer. Understand the qualities of a lead engineer and discover strategies to think strategically in your role. 39 16. 16 [](https://daily.dev/posts/making-a-good-engineer-a-great-one-training-your-skills-and-training-your-mindset-a89vsu4zx "Making a Good Engineer a Great One: Training Your Skills and Training Your Mindset") Article Hacker Noon · 3y Making a Good Engineer a Great One: Training Your Skills and Training Your Mindset Learn how to navigate the three phases of learning new skills, from the adjustment phase to the intuition-building phase and the stagnation phase. Adopting a growth mindset can help with the learning process. Remember to seek feedback and avoid overconfidence. Consider your professional goals when faced with the decision to take on new responsibilities. The Dreyfus model is a helpful framework for understanding skill acquisition. 34 1 17. 17 [](https://daily.dev/posts/how-to-be-an-engineer-that-pms-don-t-hate-fb2dhmpnk "How To Be An Engineer That PMs Don't Hate") Article Stay SaaSy · 3y How To Be An Engineer That PMs Don't Hate To be an engineer that PMs don't hate: Be responsible with the power of shipping code. Don’t make Product Management your QA team or your project manager. Don't mistake technical knowledge for intelligence. Explain the value of tech debt in a way that is easy to understand. 32 11 18. 18 [](https://daily.dev/posts/why-should-you-or-anyone-become-an-engineering-manager--uzzjbq4au "Why Should You (Or Anyone) Become An Engineering Manager?") Article Charity · 3y Why Should You (Or Anyone) Become An Engineering Manager? The article discusses the reasons why someone should consider becoming an engineering manager. It highlights the changing perception of management and the importance of good engineering managers in driving productivity and quality. The article also mentions the skills that can be developed through management, and how it can benefit personal growth and relationships. 25 2 19. 19 [](https://daily.dev/posts/from-senior-to-staff-software-engineer-a-managers-perspective-t8wi9thbx "From Senior to Staff Software Engineer... A managers perspective") Article Substack · 3y From Senior to Staff Software Engineer... A managers perspective To get promoted to Staff Software Engineer and beyond, you need to focus on impact and visibility. Impact involves being able to lead a wide array of projects and foresee roadblocks. Visibility includes regularly engaging with various stakeholders and measuring the success of initiatives. 23 20. 20 [](https://daily.dev/posts/transform-your-engineering-management-career-path-ivsvheirc "Transform Your Engineering Management Career Path") Article freeCodeCamp · 3y Transform Your Engineering Management Career Path Learn how to be an exceptional engineering manager with a course that focuses on leadership, skill development, communication, and personal growth. Discover the fundamental differences between being a software engineering manager and a technical lead, uncover pivotal skills for career advancement, and learn about effective communication and feedback within a team setting. The course emphasizes the importance of empathy, communication, and team dynamics in a successful leadership role. 20 21. 21 [](https://daily.dev/posts/time-management-4tgm8wmeh "Time Management") Article Pointer · 3y Time Management We never have enough time, so we need to make the most of what we have. By prioritizing tasks that give us energy and focusing on our personal strengths, we can create a schedule that aligns with our goals and values. Auditing our time allocation periodically allows us to make corrections and ensure we are investing our time judiciously. This same technique can be applied to managing any portfolio of scarce resources. 20 1 22. 22 [](https://daily.dev/posts/the-1-3-5-rule-finding-growth-and-embracing-discipline-hhlqcy6xx "The 1-3-5 Rule, Finding Growth, and Embracing Discipline") Article Hacker Noon · 3y The 1-3-5 Rule, Finding Growth, and Embracing Discipline The 1-3-5 Rule, Finding Growth, and Embracing Discipline is a weekly wrap-up post. Stephen Petasky, Ben Meng, Mike Baker Podcast: The Most Powerful Morning Routine Article. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Twitter. 19 23. 23 [](https://daily.dev/posts/why-an-engineering-manager-should-not-review-code-c3gjhvvp4 "Why an Engineering Manager Should Not Review Code") Article Better Programming · 3y Why an Engineering Manager Should Not Review Code Emily Dresner: Why should the TL not lead the team and why should an EM with a team of sufficient size not review code? We consider three aspects when answering this question: role definition, team communication complexity, and team size. A manager builds a well-working team on solid communication fundamentals, she says. 18 1 24. 24 [](https://daily.dev/posts/9-tips-for-becoming-a-successful-tech-leader-hbr8shqz9 "9 Tips for Becoming a Successful Tech Leader") Article Semaphore · 4y 9 Tips for Becoming a Successful Tech Leader Actions and examples are more important than titles or positions when it comes to leadership. Prioritizing others, clear communication, recognizing excellence, and maintaining momentum are key actions for becoming a successful tech leader. 18 1 25. 25 [](https://daily.dev/posts/where-have-all-the-hackers-gone-a-way-to-discuss-programming-languages--ckzqbbhmn "🤠 "Where have all the hackers gone?" + a way to discuss programming languages 👨‍🎤") Article Community Picks · 3y 🤠 "Where have all the hackers gone?" + a way to discuss programming languages 👨‍🎤 The post discusses the different aspects to consider when comparing programming languages, including soil (properties of running code), surface (features and syntax), and atmosphere (community and ecosystem). It also explores why discussions about programming languages often focus on atmosphere and the challenges of quantifying its impact. The author argues for a more open-minded approach to tech choices and suggests that training and mentorship can help developers quickly become proficient in new languages. 17 [See all Leadership archives](/tags/leadership/best-of) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://daily.dev/#organization","name":"daily.dev","url":"https://daily.dev","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://daily.dev/apple-touch-icon.png","width":180,"height":180},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/dailydotdev","https://github.com/dailydotdev","https://www.linkedin.com/company/daily-dev-ltd"]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://daily.dev/#website","url":"https://daily.dev","name":"daily.dev","publisher":{"@id":"https://daily.dev/#organization"},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://daily.dev/search?q={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}}]} {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"CollectionPage","@id":"https://daily.dev/tags/leadership/best-of/2023#page","url":"https://daily.dev/tags/leadership/best-of/2023","name":"Best Leadership Posts of 2023","description":"The most upvoted Leadership posts of 2023, curated by the daily.dev community.","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","url":"https://daily.dev"}},{"@type":"ItemList","@id":"https://daily.dev/tags/leadership/best-of/2023#items","numberOfItems":25,"itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/soft-skill-books-that-will-make-you-a-better-developer-bpza7fm3x","name":"Soft skill books that will make you a better developer"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/15-ai-tools-for-developers-december-2023--usmc6kbtu","name":"15+ AI Tools For Developers (December 2023)"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/the-future-of-remote-work-zh0bweuge","name":"The Future of Remote Work"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/scrum-sucks--rdfecirbb","name":"Scrum sucks."},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/let-juniors-speak-first-kda7m7ctd","name":"Let juniors speak first"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":6,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/being-a-good-mentor-a-developers-guide-fdn98t6kp","name":"Being a good mentor – a developers guide"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":7,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/jordan-cutler-path-to-senior-engineer-handbook-all-the-resources-you-need-to-get-to-senior-engineer-jy57xbwq7","name":"jordan-cutler/path-to-senior-engineer-handbook: All the resources you need to get to Senior Engineer and beyond"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":8,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/the-software-engineer-s-guidebook-fwtkv9fcf","name":"The Software Engineer's Guidebook"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":9,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/engineering-handbook-vdsbbz0dg","name":"Engineering Handbook"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":10,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/a-good-engineer-thinks-like-a-product-manager-jgfel8m0h","name":"A good engineer thinks like a product manager"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":11,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/what-is-a-staff-engineer--klajkytsz","name":"What is a Staff Engineer?"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":12,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/the-journey-of-becoming-a-cto-kkbo4gxp5","name":"The Journey of Becoming a CTO"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":13,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/how-i-became-a-tech-lead-and-what-i-learned-along-the-way-gsbryl0le","name":"How I became a Tech Lead and what I learned along the way"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":14,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/breaking-down-a-design-qu4aeddkz","name":"Breaking down a design"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":15,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/how-to-go-from-senior-to-lead-btba9scba","name":"How to go from Senior to Lead"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":16,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/making-a-good-engineer-a-great-one-training-your-skills-and-training-your-mindset-a89vsu4zx","name":"Making a Good Engineer a Great One: Training Your Skills and Training Your Mindset"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":17,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/how-to-be-an-engineer-that-pms-don-t-hate-fb2dhmpnk","name":"How To Be An Engineer That PMs Don't Hate"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":18,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/why-should-you-or-anyone-become-an-engineering-manager--uzzjbq4au","name":"Why Should You (Or Anyone) Become An Engineering Manager?"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":19,"url":"https://daily.dev/posts/from-senior-to-staff-software-engineer-a-managers-perspective-t8wi9thbx","name":"From Senior to Staff Software Engineer... 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