The problem with

Principal engineers

Is that they have

Principles

Routinely manage or hang out with senior engineers? This may make you chuckle.

In many companies the apex of an individual contributor engineer is Principal (sometimes there is another level: Distinguished or Fellow).

These folks have experience, technical skills, industry influence, a reputation and an _ahem_ certain perspective of how things should be done, "Principles" one might say.

These talented, creative and passionate people are awesome and will turn a normal team into a 10x.

But sometimes the ‘Principles’ can be challenging. Principal Engineers by their very nature are brilliant, often strong personalities who rally others to their cause, they

defend their ideas, architectures, approaches.

Surrounding yourself with people who challenge is hard. Good Principal engineers will; because they have an unending thirst for improvement, and fascination with their craft. Uncomfortable yes, but exhilarating.

Be highly critical of ideas, not people

Build an environment of collaboration, where everyone is heard, no one diminished; rally around ideas.

The best idea wins

This is how you nurture Principal engineers with principles.

(Drive decisioning! Not through consensus. http://bit.ly/2L0sXZJ )

Original linkedin link: https://bit.ly/3vZnUyU