When you move from engineer to manager, one of the biggest shifts is realizing that relationships now play a central role in your success. As an engineer, you could get by with a strong focus on technical problem-solving and minimal interaction outside your immediate team. As a manager, relationships with stakeholders—product managers, designers, leadership, and even other teams—will decide whether your team is trusted, supported, and set up to succeed.
For many engineers, especially those who lean more introverted, this part of the job can feel uncomfortable. But it’s essential: you are now the face of your team. Healthy relationships give your team clarity, protect them from distractions, and create opportunities to shine.
Why Relationships Matter
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Trust opens doors. Stakeholders who trust you will bring your team into important conversations early.
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Alignment prevents churn. Strong relationships ensure your team is building the right things, in the right way, at the right time.
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Representation matters. When you communicate effectively with stakeholders, your team earns a reputation for reliability and professionalism.
Practical Tips for Building Relationships
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Schedule regular 1:1s with key stakeholders. Even a 30-minute biweekly check-in builds trust over time. Don’t wait until there’s a problem to talk.
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Ask for feedback. A simple “How is our team meeting your needs?” signals openness and creates a feedback loop before frustrations build up.
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Be transparent. If your team hits a roadblock, let stakeholders know early. Surprises erode trust; transparency builds it.
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Listen more than you talk. Especially in the beginning, focus on understanding stakeholders’ priorities and pain points. That insight will guide your team’s impact.
3 Things You Can Practice This Week
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Map your stakeholders. Write down the top 3 people outside your team who have the biggest influence on your team’s success.
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Set up one conversation. Reach out to one of them for a short, informal chat to understand their priorities.
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Close the loop with your team. Share one insight from that conversation with your team to show you’re advocating for them.
Building relationships might not feel as natural as solving technical challenges, but it’s one of the most powerful levers you have as a manager. The effort you put into cultivating trust and alignment outside your team pays off in smoother projects, stronger support, and a reputation that will elevate your entire team.