One of the keys to success in Principal+ role is cultivating weak ties
"Manufacturing serendipity" in my Principal Engineer's Handbook is a honeypot term that confuses many. There is prescribed intentionality to what is perceived as a chance event. But chance is not random, and you can cultivate its probability by leaning into weak ties...
Reserve time to explore outside of your primary project and domain, volunteer your help, and pay it forward. Before long, you'll be manufacturing serendipity by connecting people and initiatives. Conversely, a robust network of weak ties can make all the difference in your ability to activate an idea or a project.
Weak ties enable serendipity.
Principal Engineer at Schneider Electric
1 年Loved your Principal engineer's handbook. This elucidates what a true principal engineer role is!!
Executive Recruiter R&D (Sr. Dir, VP, C-Suite) @ LinkedIn // X-Google, Groupon, Visa, Indeed, Cruise, & Blockbuster ;) // Multi-Million $$$ offer extender
2 年Couldn't agree more!
???? Partnerships and Product Manager @ Google. Chrome Dino Wrangler, Podcaster & Public Speaker
2 年Spot on Ilya - that has been my modus operandi for many years. What has worked for you in terms of spreading and supporting a culture of serendipitous connections throughout your teams and organisations? We have lunch ninjas and such to make connections, but that's not quite the same as having buy-in from leaders to "Reserve time to explore outside of your primary project and domain".