How to Lead Your Team when the House Is on Fire

The tech industry faces challenges with reduced funding and companies in "wartime" mode. For Engineering Managers, this requires leading teams through ambiguity and pressure while ensuring goal-aligned delivery and team performance. Key strategies include ruthless prioritization, quick decision-making, protecting team focus, and balancing velocity with tech debt. Retaining talent involves maintaining morale and emphasizing job positives. Hiring should target experienced engineers who can contribute immediately. Supporting individual growth remains important but shoul