As a product manager in tech, I’ve learned that knowing how to work with difficult engineers will make your life easier. And yes, many of them earn double the total compensation (TC) than you do! It can be tough to command respect and attention, especially when engineers may feel they have superior knowledge and pay. Leveraging our product experience with customer psychology and needs, we can segment engineers as “customers.” In this semi-satirical, somewhat realistic exploration, let’s dive into the types of engineers you’ll likely encounter in this role. Remember, we’re all human, and engineers are still human.
1. The ‘Mission Impossible’ Engineer
This engineering archetype is difficult to work with since they’re against innovation or change. You’ll often hear these engineers say things like, “Bro, that’s never going to work,” or reminisce about past failures, such as, “We tried that in ’14, and we got totally wrecked.” Here’s how to work with a skeptical engineer. The key is communication and respect.
How To Work With Skeptical Engineers:
- Listen Actively: Give them a platform to voice their concerns. Often, people just want to be heard.
- Use Logic: Combat skepticism with data and logical arguments. They respect facts over opinions.
- Involve Engineers in Problem-Solving: Leverage their experience to find faster solutions.
2. The Fresh-Out-of-College Engineer
This is the overly enthusiastic engineer. Just calm down, buddy. These engineers are difficult to work with since managing them is like herding a bunch of caffeinated cats. We can redirect this energy to hyperfocus one project at a time. It helps to remind them of the bigger picture mission and vision.
How To Work With Overly Enthusiastic Engineers:
- Reality Checks: Tell em’ It’s okay to dream, but we gotta deliver.
- Prioritization: Reiterate the prioritization. Not every task is a golden snitch that needs immediate catching.
- Focus on Skilz: Focus on the career goals. Like a video game, you have limited XP points. Spend it on the skills you want to specialize in and not use it all over the place.
3. The Jaded Veteran Engineer
This is the burnt-out engineering veteran. They’re always saying things like, ‘Back at Facebook, Google, and Apple, we did it this way.’ They’ve been in tech long enough to see it all. They offer a wealth of experience and can provide invaluable insights. Sometimes, it’s tough to just get s**t done when there are new ideas. This makes it difficult to work with veteran engineers.
How To Work With Burnt Out Engineers:
- Identify The Motivators: Understand what motivates them so you can align projects with their interests as best as possible.
- Leverage Their Experience: Leverage this knowledge for your benefit. Add them to key design sessions.
- Reignite their Passion: Remind them of the impact of their work and the evolution of technology they’ve witnessed.
4. The Lone Wolf Engineer
The stereotypical engineering archetype. Go it alone types. They’re brilliant but may struggle to interact with team projects. The key? Respect their focus time and work but build team collaboration in the culture and process. I know it’s easier said than done.
How To Approach The Loan Wolf Engineer Types:
- Understand Introversion: Recognize and respect their way of working. Psychologists note that introverts are best in environments where they feel valued.
- Inclusive Leadership: Practice inclusive leadership by creating opportunities for them to share their thoughts in less intimidating settings, like one-on-one meetings.
5. The 10x Engineer:
These engineers are tech enthusiasts types who want to learn the newest tech. While their passion for new trends is infectious, remember, it’s not always about the flashiest tech that will launch a Product the fastest. Regular ‘why’ discussions can keep the tech enthusiasts aligned with the team’s goals.
How to work with 10X Engineer Types:
- Project Objectives: Reiterate the project’s primary objectives and how they align with the organization’s overall goals.
- Technology Fit: Evaluate the new technologies they propose regarding fit, necessity, and practical implications for the project.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Encourage a practical assessment of the benefits versus the costs (time, resources, maintainability) of implementing the latest technologies.
6. The Ghost Engineer
Now you see them, now you don’t. Keeping track of them is like a game of hide-and-seek with project deadlines as the stakes. They seem to operate on a different time spectrum where deadlines are gentle nudges rather than firm commitments. It’s important to establish clear expectations and maintain consistent check-ins.
How to work with Ghosting Engineer Types:
- Milestones: Divide the project into smaller, manageable tasks with their own mini-deadlines. This makes the process less daunting and provides a clear roadmap of what needs to be done and by when.
- Use Agile Methodologies: Implement agile methodologies like sprints and stand-ups, which naturally incorporate regular check-ins and can keep the project on track.
- Automated Reminders: Use automated reminder systems to notify team members of upcoming deadlines.
7. The Process Advocate Engineer
These engineers are the guardians of protocols and procedures. These engineers are difficult to work with since they can hold up development. Their mantra, “Follow the process, avoid the chaos,” isn’t just a catchy phrase – it’s their life’s work. RTFM?? They probably did. These engineers are essential for maintaining quality and consistency. Involve them in defining processes, balancing their procedural wisdom with the team’s need for agility.
How To Work With Process Heavy Engineers (As long as you’re not Building Boeings)
- Involve Them in Planning: They like the process, so let them plan. Make it easier on yourself by outsourcing planning.
- Use The Data: The tie process changes the data. Does the data support a change? No? Well, no process change.
- Show Risks and Rewards: As PM’s, everything comes with tradeoffs. Talk about the tradeoff of working on process vs. other initiatives.
8. The Perfectionist Engineer
Their motto: “If it’s not perfect, it’s not done.” It’s great to have a quality crusader, but to PM’s ‘good enough’ is a win. As a Product Manager, we live in a world of MVPs and fast delivery.
How To Work With Perfectionist Engineers:
- Good Enough Is Already Great: Introduce them to the concept of MVP. It’s like convincing a detail-obsessed graphic designer that, sometimes, a rough sketch is what you need to validate an idea.
- Redefine “Perfect”: Pivot their quest for perfection from code to user experience. It’s like shifting from perfecting the engine to ensuring the car drives smoothly for the user.
- Prioritization: Focus on prioritization. Not every code needs to be refactored right now; not every pixel needs to be perfect today.
How To Work With Difficult Engineers – With Empathy
Another day, another dollar. Product management is always challenging with all the characters we have to deal with. Difficult engineers are no exception. Remember no one reports to you, so your best luck is to influence by understanding their psychology and how they work. Each “customer” (engineer) has a unique set of requirements. The key is understanding, patience, and humor. Join our Discord to share your experiences in working with engineers.