Eddie and Morgan explore the concept of intentional communication within engineering management, sparked by Will Larson's post 'Good Engineering Management is a Fad.' They emphasize interpersonal communication's impact on individual and group performance. Touching on the Gottman method's 'Four Horsemen,' and Nadella's promotion of Nonviolent Communication at Microsoft, this episode is crucial for understanding practical, intentional communication strategies for both planned and reactive scenarios in the workplace.

Eddie and Morgan return to discuss the intricate aspects of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from the perspective of engineering leadership. This episode builds on their previous discussions, shifting the focus to the challenges faced by companies integrating new technology and teams. They cover motivation types for M&A, emphasizing economies of scale, industry consolidation, vertical integration, and eliminating inefficiencies. They explore the complexities of assimilating acquired technology, the importance of maintainability and extensibility, and setting up a defensible moat. From an organizational standpoint, they address potential pitfalls like the ‘us versus them’ dynamic, handling the expert archetype, and supporting team members experiencing burnout. They also discuss best practices for vetting teams and strategically planning for technology integration.

Eddie and Morgan dive into a challenging listener's question about navigating a reverse merger opportunity amidst failing technology due diligence in a small FinTech startup.

Special guest Robin Atwood, a seasoned engineering leader at Nuro, joins to shed light on technology due diligence, touching on critical topics like security, operational resilience, and compliance. They discuss prioritization and leadership strategies to balance immediate business needs with long-term technical improvements. The episode dives deep into managing external contractors, leveraging AI, organizational alignment, and maintaining transparency with stakeholders in high-stress situations.

• (00:00) - Welcome and Introduction
• (00:08) - Meet Robin Atwood: Engineering Leader at Nuro
• (01:49) - Listener's Dilemma: FinTech Startup Struggles
• (04:10) - The Importance of Technology Due Diligence
• (05:28) - Robin's Advice on Operational Resilience
• (09:27) - Leadership and Prioritization in Startups
• (11:57) - The Role of Compliance and Security
• (23:09) - Collaboration and Context in Engineering
• (32:02) - API Frustrations and Workarounds
• (33:22) - Empathy in Leadership
• (33:44) - Importance of Buy-In and Alignment
• (35:44) - Simplifying and Prioritizing in Startups
• (39:18) - Operating Models and Organizational Maturity
• (51:17) - Managing External Help
• (55:57) - Handling Urgency and Stakeholder Expectations
• (59:48) - AI in IT and Innovation
• (01:03:20) - Conclusion and Listener Engagement