Yaniv Preiss

The following questions of the self-assessment are designed to identify areas where coaching could provide significant value for the Engineering Manager.

Score each question on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means “Strongly disagree” and 5 means “Strongly agree.”

Self-assessment

Leadership and team management

1. My team is both effective and motivated
2. I give each direct report positive or negative feedback at least once per week
3. I delegate appropriately and trust my team to execute

Strategic thinking and planning

4. I have a clear vision for my team
5. I adapt my strategies to evolving technologies and industry trends
6. My team usually achieves the desired business outcome

Communication skills

7. My team understands why we do things, from high level goals to small tasks
8. Stakeholders understand when I present technical topics and plans
9. I actively listen to my team’s feedback and incorporate it into our plans

Personal development and self-awareness

10. I am aware of my strengths and areas for improvement as an engineering leader
11. I regularly seek feedback to enhance my behavior, performance and skills
12. I have evidence that I am continually growing and developing in my role

Work-life balance

13. I maintain a healthy work-life balance
14. I manage my stress levels effectively and support my team in doing the same
15. I allocate time for my personal development and self-care

Technical challenges and problem-solving

16. I effectively manage complex technical challenges within my team
17. I stay up-to-date with the latest relevant technological advancements
18. I foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation within my team

Team performance and dynamics

19. My team consistently meets or exceeds performance expectations and deadlines
20. I am successful in attracting, developing, and retaining engineering talent
21. I have trust and rapport with all my direct reports

Results

• Score 21-42: Coaching is highly recommended.
  There are several areas where you could benefit from the support and guidance of an external coach.
• Score 43-63: Coaching could be beneficial. You have a solid foundation and could still benefit from coaching to refine certain skills and address specific challenges.
• Score 64-84: Coaching is nice to have, as it can still provide value for continuous improvement and achieving peak performance.

Follow-Up

If the self-assessment indicates that coaching might be beneficial, consider the following steps:

1. Identifying specific goals: Determine what specific outcomes or improvements you are looking to achieve with coaching.
2. Researching coaches: Look for coaches who specialize in engineering management and have experience relevant to your needs.
3. Consulting peers: Speak with other engineering managers or leaders who have used coaches to get recommendations and insights.
4. Scheduling a discovery call: Meet with a potential coach to assess chemistry, values, compatibility and approach.