#1 | Sunday reads for EMs
My favourite reads of the week to make your Sunday a little more inspiring.
👋 Hey, it’s Stephane. This is a new series in which every Sunday I share with you my favourite reads of the week. To accelerate your growth see: 50 Notion Templates | The EM’s Field Guide | CodeCrafters | Get Hired as an EM | 1:1 Coaching
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9 Questions to Ask When You Start to Notice Underperformance
tl;dr: Subtle signs of underperformance can be tricky to address, but early, compassionate conversations are key. Claire Lew shares nine thoughtful questions managers can ask to uncover root causes without making assumptions. The focus is on collaboration, support, and maintaining both empathy and accountability.
Short-term vs. Long-term
tl;dr: Balancing short-term gains and long-term bets is essential in product development. Mike Fisher advocates for a portfolio approach that aligns initiatives with strategy, distributes risk, and ensures resource flexibility. He outlines how frameworks like strategic planning and total portfolio management help guide smarter investment decisions.
5 Best SQL Games to Master Database Skills in 2025
tl;dr: SQL games like SQL Noir and SQL Murder Mystery make learning fun by embedding queries in crime-solving and adventure scenarios. These tools engage learners far more than traditional tutorials and cover a wide range of SQL concepts. Whether you're a beginner or intermediate, these games offer hands-on, story-driven practice.
On How Long it Takes to Know if a Job is Right for You or Not
tl;dr: Most people know within the first week if a job is a bad fit, even if they stay longer hoping it improves. Charity Majors emphasizes that managers, in particular, can't afford to stay misaligned since they must represent both company and team. Trusting your gut and learning from each experience is key.
How to communicate the reality of AI-assisted engineering in today’s hype cycle
tl;dr: Engineering leaders must ground AI conversations in real use cases, not hype. Effective adoption requires enablement, training, and meaningful metrics tied to business value. Clear storytelling with data helps executives understand AI’s real impact across productivity, innovation, and cost.
Is All Micromanagement Bad? Here's How the Best Startup Leaders Balance Details and Delegation
tl;dr: Micromanagement isn’t inherently bad. It’s a leadership tool that can drive clarity, quality, and alignment when used deliberately. Startup leaders share how going deep selectively can fix issues, model standards, and build trust. The key is knowing when to zoom in and when to delegate confidently.
What did you read recently that you would like to share?