Being hands-on without being a bottleneck

In this episode, Amir interviews Fady Matar, the VP of Engineering at Spotter, about his approach to being a super hands-on engineering leader. Fadi shares his views on how he relates to his team, avoids being a bottleneck, and understands the work at a deep level. They discuss the pros and cons of different engineering management styles and how being hands-on can benefit a team. Fadi also provides insight into the size and organization of his team at Spotter, highlighting their exciting product and the need for scalability. Tune in to learn more about Fadi's super-involved approach to engineering leadership. Highlights: [00:00:19] Being a super involved engineering leader. [00:06:52] Choosing the right vertical. [00:09:38] Sustainability in team growth. [00:12:40] Avoiding being a bottleneck. [00:16:17] Managers understanding code and standards. [00:20:25] Engineering culture and data. [00:27:29] Startups as jazz bands. [00:31:52] Defining product specifications. [00:32:10] Product specifications and frameworks. As Spotter's VP of Software Engineering, Fady Matar is spearheading the development of AI-focused tools for creators. Known for his curiosity and enthusiasm, he has a rich background in Open Source Frameworks like vertx.io, quarkus.io, and hibernate.org. Fady is committed to pushing the boundaries of AI and software engineering. With the goal of becoming a transformative figure in the AI field, Fady is dedicated to integrating AI advancements with software engineering best practices. Outside of tech, he is a professional musician, proficient in classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmatar --- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)