The Art of Leadership: Small Things, Done Well by Michael Lopp

The Art of Leadership: Small Things, Done Well

Author: Michael Lopp (Rands)
Published: 2020
Category: Technical Leadership, Management, Engineering Culture

Overview

Michael Lopp, VP of Engineering at Slack and author of “Managing Humans,” delivers a practical guide focused on the small, consistent actions that define effective leadership in technology organizations. The book emphasizes that leadership isn’t about grand gestures but daily habits and intentional micro-decisions.

Key Ideas

The Leadership Triangle

• Credibility: Build trust through consistent delivery and technical competence
• Transparency: Share context, decisions, and reasoning openly
• Accountability: Own outcomes and create psychological safety for teams

Small Things That Matter

• 1-on-1s are sacred: Never cancel them; they’re investments in relationships
• Written communication matters: Clear writing scales better than meetings
• Recognition is a daily practice: Specific, timely feedback builds culture
• Delegation isn’t abdication: Stay connected to work without micromanaging

Decision-Making Framework

• Reversible vs. Irreversible: Speed up reversible decisions, slow down permanent ones
• Decision velocity: The pace of decisions signals organizational health
• Disagree and commit: Build consensus, but move forward decisively

Building Technical Influence

• Stay technical enough: Don’t lose connection to the craft
• Pattern recognition: Share lessons across projects and teams
• Architectural thinking: Frame problems systemically, not just tactically
• Teaching as leadership: Multiplying impact through knowledge transfer

Organizational Navigation

• Read the room: Context awareness is a superpower
• Build coalitions: Technical decisions require organizational buy-in
• Manage up effectively: Your manager needs your help to help you
• Create information flow: Be a connector, not a bottleneck

Practical Takeaways

For Staff Engineers

• Leadership without authority requires building credibility through small wins
• Technical excellence alone isn’t enough; communication and influence matter equally
• Document decisions and reasoning; future-you and future-others will thank you
• Create space for others to lead; growth comes from delegation

For Daily Practice

• Morning routine: Review priorities before diving into work
• Communication hygiene: Write clearly, edit ruthlessly, share context
• Feedback loops: Seek input early and often; course-correct continuously
• End-of-day reflection: What went well? What could improve?

Red Flags to Watch

• Meetings without agendas or outcomes
• Decisions made in hallways without documentation
• Lack of healthy disagreement (too much consensus)
• Information hoarding as power dynamics

Key Quotes

“Leadership is a learned skill, not a personality trait. Anyone can learn it through deliberate practice and reflection.”

“The best technical leaders spend their time creating clarity, building trust, and removing obstacles—not writing all the code themselves.”

“Small, consistent actions compound into organizational culture. What you do daily defines who you are as a leader.”

Bottom Line

This book is essential for Staff Engineers and senior ICs transitioning into leadership roles without becoming managers. It bridges the gap between pure technical work and organizational influence, emphasizing that leadership is a craft requiring deliberate practice. The focus on small, daily actions makes it immediately actionable—you can start applying these lessons tomorrow.

Best for: Staff Engineers, Tech Leads, Senior ICs seeking to expand influence
Time investment: Quick read (200 pages), but concepts require ongoing practice
Pair with: “Staff Engineer” by Will Larson, “The Manager’s Path” by Camille Fournier