Camille Fournier's roadmap for senior ICs, tech leads, and managers. Even individual contributors benefit from understanding team dynamics, career progression, and the transition from coding to leadership.

I picked up The Manager's Path when I was a senior IC considering whether to move into tech lead work. Fournier's chapter on the tech lead role—managing technical decisions without direct reports—was exactly what I needed. She breaks down each level from senior IC to VP, explaining what changes at each stage: how your time allocation shifts, what skills you need to develop, and what traps to avoid. The section on one-on-ones transformed how I approach those conversations, and her advice on handling difficult team members saved me from making several mistakes early on. Even if you never want to manage, the chapters on mentoring and giving feedback are worth the price. The book is practical without being prescriptive—she acknowledges that every team is different, but gives you frameworks to adapt. I've recommended it to three engineers who were struggling with the transition from senior IC to tech lead, and all of them said it helped them understand what they were signing up for.

Camille Fournier's roadmap for senior ICs, tech leads. Learn team dynamics, career progression, one-on-ones, and the transition from coding to leadership.

The Manager's Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders and Managers

The Manager's Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change

Classic essays on software project management, schedules, and team dynamics that shaped modern engineering practices.

Half a century later, Brooks’ essays still surface in every engineering leadership conversation. The Mythical Man-Month, No Silver Bullet, and Tar Pit chapters capture why adding people to a late project makes it later, why software is inherently complex, and why communication paths matter. I often cite the book when pushing back on unrealistic schedules or explaining why we invest in tooling before ballooning headcount. The anniversary edition’s afterword and additional essays provide modern context, but the original lessons remain painfully relevant. Pair it with Accelerate or Team Topologies for contemporary tactics, but start here for the foundational mindset.

Frederick Brooks' classic essays on software project management. Timeless insights on why schedules slip and how communication shapes engineering team success.

The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

Mythical Man-Month, The: Essays on Software Engineering, Anniversary Edition

Curated team management products we use and recommend. Each item tested in real-world scenarios. Find 2 products with detailed reviews, pros, and cons.

Team Management Products

The Manager's Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change

Mythical Man-Month, The: Essays on Software Engineering, Anniversary Edition