David Loftesness

Taking a break from managing eng orgs to write code at Nitid. Formerly eero, Amazon, Twitter, Xmarks. Author of @scalingteams.

[David Loftesness @dloft]

It's live! Thanks to @jessicraige and the team at @firstround for all their work on this, and my colleagues at Nitid for their support. If you've made a similar career transition, I'd love to hear your story and feedback.

[First Round @firstround]

After a legendary run leading engineering teams at Amazon, Twitter and eero, @dloft traded in his mantle to take on a role as a developer — and manager of none.

Over a year in, he’s found the experience equal parts challenging, humbling and rewarding.

Some years back on The Review, he shared a 90-day plan to help engineers step into management. Now, he’s put together a guide for the flip side: pivoting back to IC. He has advice for navigating each step of the transition, from advocating for an equal level to dusting off rusty coding skills to settling back into the maker schedule.

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@MitashaSingh Thanks so much, Mitasha. Building processes that work fairly for people across the full spectrum of confidence and assertiveness is an unsolved problem. And another reason why great managers matter.

[David Loftesness @dloft]

Working on a followup article to "This 90-Day Plan turns Engineers into Remarkable Managers" about the flip side -- giving up management and going back to being an engineer. Anyone who's done this have advice to share? https://t.co/rCZEElgC5c

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@witort Yes, let’s! I’ll get in touch.

[David Loftesness @dloft]

…and magically we’re moving now!

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@AmtrakAlerts Any news on the fire in Oakland? The 14 has been stopped for 2 hours.

[First Round @firstround]

It’s a common question from ICs: How do I know if I’m ready to manage? “You’re ready if you understand from the beginning that you’re going to be managing in three directions,” says @dloft.

-Your team
-Your peers
-Your manager

https://t.co/E5tiaEtY2v

[Biz Stone @biz]

https://t.co/yg6ddqTelg

[David Loftesness @dloft]

Earthquake X < Earthquake Twitter

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@TheBloggess Seatmate’s a funny word. I don’t have a better one but it always sounds like there’s a lap involved.

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@sm I had similar feelings from doing a “friends and family” seed round. They were the last people I wanted to let down!

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@skr @raffi I wouldn't mind another Raffi in the world. We could hang out more often. :)

[David Loftesness @dloft]

Just listened to the first episode of #TechnicallyOptimistic by @raffi -- really well done! A great primer on the past, present, and future of AI / IA.

[David Loftesness @dloft]

Wind so crazy it knocks the stethoscope off a doctor’s neck.

[Jan Chong @lessachu]

Congrats to the @wsj for a new low during a week of new lows: running the worst take on the SVB failure.

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@GrifWhite @TheSharkDaymond Glad to hear it! Would appreciate your comments and suggestions. Cc/ @klangberater

[David Loftesness @dloft]

“I’m not sure what my spirit animal is… but my spirit vegetable is a potato.”

[David Loftesness @dloft]

I miss @TwitterData.

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@NatTowsen Galaxy Quest

[David Loftesness @dloft]

@a_a Love this. Any suggestions for how to get better at reading code besides just spending more time on it? Perhaps shadowing code reviews by more senior engineers?