Kata is the Japanese word for form. In the martial arts, it is the series of forms and exercises necessary to support eventual mastery. Many consider the practice of a given kata to be an individual pursuit, but true masters know that group practice and engagement is essential to true mastery.

What makes a good engineering manager? What makes a good manager great? There are a growing number of tomes that explain the path one takes to becoming a manager, but what do you do once you get there? In this talk, we will explore the exercises required to build the muscles necessary to continue your growth as a leader of people. Specifically, we will discuss patterns to model, and anti-patterns that you should definitely avoid.

We will explore the differences between mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship as the leader acts as both protege and adviser. This talk will also explore the concept of secular-humanist based servant leadership, and challenge the notion that the engineering leader is first a technical leader. We will discuss humility as an asset, and stress on the importance of listening as the most essential path towards understanding.

Finally, there will be code. We will discuss how the code we use as leaders can often expose unconscious biases. The practitioner must be ever aware of these potential blind spots as they continue to grow and share their knowledge with others.