Greetings, Future Tech Titans! 👋

Leadership in engineering isn’t a fixed formula—it’s an ongoing journey shaped by experience, challenges, and the people we work with. Sometimes, we step into leadership intentionally; other times, it happens out of necessity. But what does it really mean to lead in engineering? Is it about managing people, or is there something deeper?

From my own experience, I’ve realized leadership isn’t about following a strict playbook. Instead, it’s about knowing when to adapt, when to step up, and how to bring out the best in our teams. In this newsletter, we’ll explore:

🔹 The many faces of engineering leadership: Why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach
🔹 Beyond management: How great leaders empower, mentor, and inspire
🔹 Lessons from experience: What challenges teach us about growth
🔹 My personal take: The evolving role of leadership in engineering and how we can shape our own paths

If you’re navigating your leadership journey—whether as an aspiring leader, a seasoned manager, or somewhere in between—this one’s for you.

Let’s redefine what it means to lead.

Erwin Dwight

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Start learning AI in 2025

Everyone talks about AI, but no one has the time to learn it. So, we found the easiest way to learn AI in as little time as possible: The Rundown AI.

It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

FREE CONTENT

Unveiling the Secrets of Engineering Leadership: Crafting Your Unique Path to Success!

What does it take to rise as a standout engineering leader in today’s fast-paced, innovation-driven world? Far beyond managing tasks or enforcing rules, engineering leadership is an art—a dynamic blend of vision, adaptability, and empowerment that turns obstacles into stepping stones. Whether you’re mentoring a hesitant junior engineer or steering a team through a high-stakes crisis, the journey to impactful leadership is uniquely yours to shape. In this deep dive, we’ll uncover the diverse styles of engineering leadership, real-world scenarios that test your skills, and actionable lessons to help you inspire brilliance in your team—because true leadership isn’t just about solving problems, it’s about unlocking potential.

FREE CONTENT

Delegating Complex Tasks

This article explores two effective strategies for leaders to delegate complex tasks: "Exponential Training" and "Suboptimal Standardization." Exponential Training consists of thoroughly training one individual who subsequently trains others, fostering an expanding group of experts gradually. In contrast, Suboptimal Standardization focuses on establishing clear decision-making frameworks accompanied by quality control checkpoints.

FREE CONTENT

Cutting middle management is costing capacity for change

While reducing management layers leads to immediate cost savings, it removes vital functions such as strategy translation, employee development, cross-team coordination, and problem-solving, which are essential for sustained innovation and effectiveness.

JOB BOARD 

HOT JOB AVAILABLE!

Senior Backend Engineer at Zerosigma Capital GmbH

Senior, B2B, Remote, Europe,€76,000-€96,000 annual

We're looking for an experienced Backend Engineer to build, manage, and maintain a robust data infrastructure for collecting vast amounts of financial data.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience working with the following technologies and tools:
Python
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
CI/CD
PostgreSQL
Apache Airflow
GitLab
Docker
Kubernetes
ETL
Excellent Communication Skills

Senior Software Engineer (Full-Stack) x 3 at SaaSlife

Senior/Middle, Permanent, On Site, $160,000-$200,000 annual, New York, USA

Description

An industry marketplace startup in NYC with a team of around 65 people is seeking a Senior Software Engineer (Full-Stack) to join their growing company. This on-site role offers a competitive salary of up to $200k, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. With over $40 million in funding, the company is well-positioned for continued growth and innovation. H1B and TN sponsorship transfers are available for eligible candidates, making this an excellent opportunity for top talent looking to make a significant impact.

PROMO CONTENT

Can email newsletters make money?

With the world becoming increasingly digital, this question will be on the minds of millions of people looking for new income streams in 2025.

The answer is—Absolutely!

That’s it for this episode!

Thank you for taking the time to read today’s email! Your support allows me to send out this newsletter for free every day. 

 What do you think for today’s episode? Please provide your feedback in the poll below.

Share the newsletter with your friends and colleagues if you find it valuable.

Disclaimer: The "Tiny Big Spark" newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only, not a substitute for professional advice, including financial, legal, medical, or technical. We strive for accuracy but make no guarantees about the completeness or reliability of the information provided. Any reliance on this information is at your own risk. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect any organization's official position. This newsletter may link to external sites we don't control; we do not endorse their content. We are not liable for any losses or damages from using this information.