How do you view your impact on the world as an engineering manager?

Question

As an engineering manager, how do you evaluate and reflect upon the various ways in which your role and actions influence the world around you, including your team, the projects you oversee, and the broader societal and environmental implications of your work?

Accepted Answer

As an engineering manager at Amazon, I view my impact on the world through multiple lenses, each of which is crucial to understanding the broader implications of my role and actions. Here's how I evaluate and reflect upon my influence:

1. **Impact on the Team:** My primary responsibility is to support and empower my team. I strive to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where team members can thrive, innovate, and feel valued. By providing mentorship, facilitating professional growth, and ensuring work-life balance, I contribute positively to their personal and professional lives. I measure success by team morale, retention rates, and by how well team members develop their skills and advance their careers.

2. **Project Impact:** The projects I oversee often aim to deliver value to customers, drive business growth, or enhance operational efficiency. I ensure that our engineering solutions are not only innovative and reliable but also ethically designed and implemented with a long-term view. I regularly assess the outcomes and customer feedback on our projects to gauge their success and identify areas for improvement.

3. **Broader Societal Influence:** Understanding the societal and environmental implications of our work is critical. I actively encourage sustainable practices in our engineering processes, from adopting energy-efficient technologies to minimizing waste. I also strive to integrate accessibility and inclusiveness into our products to benefit a diverse range of users. Reflecting on the societal impact involves considering how our solutions can improve lives and contribute positively to the community.

4. **Ethical and Responsible Leadership:** I recognize that the technology we build can have far-reaching effects. As an engineering manager, I am committed to championing ethical standards and promoting transparency in decision-making processes. I encourage my team to engage in discussions about the potential impacts of our technology and to consider the ethical dimensions of our engineering choices.

5. **Continuous Reflection and Adaptation:** I regularly seek feedback from my team, stakeholders, and peers to understand the impact of my leadership and projects. I reflect on this feedback to identify ways to adapt and improve both personally and professionally. By staying informed about industry trends and societal needs, I can align our work with changing expectations and contribute positively to the world at large.

Through these approaches, I ensure that the influence I have as an engineering manager is positive, progressive, and aligned with Amazon's values of customer obsession, operational excellence, and long-term thinking.

How do you view your impact on the world as an engineering manager?

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