Best Podcasts for Engineering Managers and Leaders

“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

As an engineering manager, there is a lot to learn and master from people management to planning and execution. Podcasts are a great resource for learning. You can listen to them on the go, on the commute, etc. Have you discovered the power of podcasts yet? Are you addicted to podcasts like me?

Here I’ve curated great podcasts for engineering managers and leaders. Some are even specific to engineering management. Most of the descriptions are taken or adapted from the podcasts.

Personally, my top three recommendations are:

• Coaching for Leaders
• The Look & Sound of Leadership
• Manager Tools

Top Recommendations

I listen to these whenever I can.

Coaching for Leaders

Coaching for Leaders homepage

Leaders are not born, they are made. This show gives you access to practical wisdom that will empower you to become a better leader. Dave Stachowiak brings you a perspective from coaching a global leadership academy and more than a decade of leadership at Dale Carnegie. Also included is one Saturday episode a month, featuring a listener success story.

Dave is a tremendous authority on management and leadership. The archives contain over 360 episodes on a large range of leadership and management topics.

5-star rating on iTunes.

Bonus: Read Dave Stachowiak’s interview on managersclub.com.

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The Look & Sound of Leadership

https://essentialcomm.com/podcast/

An ongoing series of Executive Coaching Tips by Tom Henschel designed to help you be perceived in the workplace the way you want to be perceived. Each episode gives specific examples from coaching clients dealing with very relatable real world issues.

This podcast is phenomenal. 5-star rating on iTunes.

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Manager Tools

https://www.manager-tools.com/all-podcasts

Manager Tools is a free weekly podcast designed to give managers actionable recommendations to further their careers. The hosts Michael Auzenne and Mark Horstman are both United States Military Academy graduates (West Point) and former Army officers. These episodes go back many years and are full of amazing, specific guidance. There are conferences also that expand on this content.

4.5-star rating on iTunes. Multiple award winner.

Finally, there is book based on what is discussed on the podcast The Effective Manager. Highly recommended.

The Following Podcasts are Engineering Specific!

Engineering People

http://engineeringpeople.libsyn.com/website

Interviews with the world’s leading engineering managers – so we can learn from their experience and ideas.

5.0 rating on iTunes.

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Simple Leadership

http://simpleleadership.io/category/podcast

I have not listened to this one yet. According to the description, “SimpleLeadership specifically focuses on improving the craft of software engineering leadership. As a VP of Engineering & CTO I am acutely aware of the lack of good resources available for new and existing software engineering managers. SimpleLeadership is designed for both new and experienced software & technology managers who want to build high-performing teams, better motivate & mentor their employees, reduce attrition and advance their career…..”

5.0 rating on iTunes

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The People Stack Podcast

http://podcast.thepeoplestack.com/

Interviews with authors, coaches and leaders of tech companies from around the world as we explore the intersection of People, Work and Technology.

Not enough ratings on iTunes.

Other Excellent Podcasts on Management and Leadership

Engaging Leader Podcast

http://www.engagingleader.com/podcast/el/

Leadership communication principles to engage your team – hosted by Jesse Lahey, Aspendale Communications

5.0 rating on iTunes.

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Ask a Manager

https://www.askamanager.org/category/podcast

Alison Green, founder of the popular website AskAManager.org, is here to help you resolve your toughest, most frustrating, or just plain weirdest work predicaments. Each week, she takes calls and talks directly with listeners about how to successfully tackle clueless coworkers, toxic bosses, impossible employees, crazy clients, and much more.

5.0 rating on iTunes.

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REWORK

https://rework.fm/

A podcast about a better way to work and run your business. We bring you stories and unconventional wisdom from Basecamp’s co-founders and other business owners.

4.5 rating on iTunes.

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HBR IdeaCast

https://hbr.org/2018/01/podcast-ideacast

A weekly podcast featuring the leading thinkers in business and management from Harvard Business Review.

4.5 rating on iTunes.

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Dose of Leadership

Home

I have not listened to this one yet. According to the description, “The Dose of Leadership Podcast is the ultimate leadership resource of inspiring and educational interviews with relevant and motivating leaders; real-life leadership & influence experts who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of the truth, common sense, and courageous leadership. The podcast interviews leaders from all aspects of life; business leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, military heroes, faith based leaders—all are highlighted on the Dose of Leadership Podcast.”

5.0 rating on iTunes.

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Jocko Podcast

Jocko Podcast homepage

Retired Navy SEAL, Jocko Willink and Director, Echo Charles discuss discipline and leadership in business, war, relationships and everyday life.

While a lot of the items discussed are not exactly relevant to day to day engineering management, I listed this because it has tremendous leadership lessons mostly drawn from the military and military history. I find this podcast most inspiring.

5.0 rating on iTunes.

Missing Any?

I’m sure there are lots of other outstanding podcasts. What did I miss? Let me know in the comments below! Happy listening!

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Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash