Netflix's Blueprint for Building Inspired Engineering Teams | Carol Barrett
Plus, a statistical analysis on why you need engineering managers, the importance of disconnecting from work, and the great build vs. buy debate.
On this week's episode, we're joined by Carol Barrett, an Engineering Leader in Consumer Identity and Access at Netflix. Host
interviews Carol to learn about Netflix’s blueprint for success when building engineering teams and how they foster a culture where purpose is at the forefront.Carol shares her valuable insights on empowering engineers to make their own decisions, ensuring product management and engineering are perfectly synced, and the importance of flexible structures that cater to team dynamics. She also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities Netflix faces, including their approach to innovative projects and navigating uncharted technological territories.
“You have to allow the engineers to decide what's best, and where they want to invest their time. You can't really structure it for them, they have to structure it themselves.”
Episode Highlights:
4:17: Finding Alignment Between Product, Leadership and Engineering
11:21 How to Build Trust in Your Partnerships
16:26 Why Engineers Have to Decide What's Best
22:56 Connecting Your Team’s Purpose to the Company’s Purpose
28:37 Why Netflix Stopped Hiring Only Senior Engineers
The Download
The Download is engineering leadership content we’re reading, watching, and attending that we think you might find valuable.
1. Google’s Statistical Analysis on Why You Need Engineering Managers
In 2002, Google eliminated all of its engineering management roles, thinking a flat organizational structure would lead to more innovation. As you would imagine, this only lasted a couple of months.
To prove that engineering managers served a vital role, their team launched Project Oxygen which took an extensive look at the impact of management through intense data analysis. Through this research, they established the key traits that were consistent amongst their top managers.
2. The Importance of Actually Disconnecting From Work
When you finish your workday, are you still thinking about work? If you answered yes, you’re potentially doing more harm than good.
We get it, the pressure as a leader can make you believe you’re only successful through constant problem-solving, even after hours. According to a recent study, leadership effectiveness is highest on days when leaders mentally disconnect from work the night before.
Read: Want to Be a Better Leader? Stop Thinking About Work After Hours
3. The Great Build vs. Buy Debate
The topic of building software in-house vs. buying a third-party product is a question that can cause an argument throughout all levels of your company. After multiple experiences grappling with this question,
shared her decision-making framework for build vs. buy in her newsletter:Assess needs and goals (specific requirements, long-term goals, constraints, urgency, etc.)
Run a cost-benefit analysis (initial purchase/build costs, maintenance, support, and scalability)
Assess the technical experience of your team (learning new skills = a longer delivery timeline to build and support, but onboarding new technology also has a learning curve)
Measure and Understand the Impact of GenAI on Software Development
Uncover the transformative impact of GenAI on software delivery processes and the metrics used to measure that impact in this must-attend workshop on January 25th or 30th.
Workshop Topics Include:
In-depth analysis from LinearB’s GenAI Impact Report
Success stories: How leaders are leveraging GenAI
Key metrics: Adoption rates, benefits, and risk assessment
Live Demo: Practical steps to measure your GenAI project’s impact
Understand and quantify the real impact of Generative AI in your projects and elevate your strategy for the new year.
4. Do You Actually Have a Problem With Your Manager?
If you’re in a senior leadership role, there’s a good chance that you harbor some form of resentment towards your manager. As
points out in his most recent article, “This isn’t necessarily because they are bad at their job or because they have a specific grudge against you.”Much like how a teenager “knows more than their parents,” senior leaders inherently have the same type of sentiment towards their managers. James shines a light on a constructive way to handle this in his newest piece “The problem with your manager…” in .
5. Scaling ChatGPT: Inside OpenAI's Rapid Growth and Technical Challenges with Evan Morikawa
ChatGPT became a household name overnight at the expense of overburdening OpenAI’s servers, and their engineering manager Evan Morikawa joined us to tell the story of how they solved an immense scaling problem.
Recorded live at LeadDev West Coast last year, this candid conversation with guest host
is a fun watch on our YouTube.Upcoming Events
January 25, 30 | Online
Highlights: GenAI is rapidly changing the software development landscape, but how do you measure its impact on your engineering org and the potential ROI? LinearB's upcoming digital workshop will help shine a light on the metrics you can use to measure the impact of your GenAI initiative.