Notes on engineering leadership, mentoring, and building strong tech teams. From Marian Kamenistak, engineering leadership mentor based in Prague.https://www.marian.coach/en-UShttps://www.marian.coach/blog/build-500k-business-in-3-years/https://www.marian.coach/blog/build-500k-business-in-3-years/My engineering leadership business hit $537k revenue in 2025, growing from $0 to half a million in 3 years.Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTconsultingleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/mentoring-business-playbook/https://www.marian.coach/blog/mentoring-business-playbook/I turned a 6-month mentoring test into 161+ mentees, 1000+ sessions, and a $200k/year mentoring business. 10 no-BS steps to start and scale.Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTlearningtrusthttps://www.marian.coach/blog/11-signs-to-fire-your-consultant/https://www.marian.coach/blog/11-signs-to-fire-your-consultant/Too many consultants linger without results. Spot the 11 red flags that signal it’s time to fire your consultant, end dependency, and reclaim control.Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTcompensationconsultingleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/leadership_courses_that_actually_work/https://www.marian.coach/blog/leadership_courses_that_actually_work/Most leadership courses overpromise and underdeliver. Here’s how I built a practical, results-driven program that truly transforms leaders at scale.Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTleadershipone-on-oneshttps://www.marian.coach/blog/10x-your-market-value-tech-leader-8-steps/https://www.marian.coach/blog/10x-your-market-value-tech-leader-8-steps/Learn how to 10x your market value as a tech leader with 8 proven steps to boost your impact and become an irreplaceable asset in any company.Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTcareercompensationleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/engineering-leaders-conference-elc-2025-recap/https://www.marian.coach/blog/engineering-leaders-conference-elc-2025-recap/ELC 2025 brought 300+ tech leaders to Prague to reshape engineering leadership in Central Europe. Here's what made it a turning point and what's next.Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTconferenceleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/engineering-management-role-checklist/https://www.marian.coach/blog/engineering-management-role-checklist/Feeling stuck or burned out? Use these 10 questions to realign your engineering management role and find a path that truly fits your goals and strengths.Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTengineering-managementhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/6-strategies-for-high-candidate-conversion/https://www.marian.coach/blog/6-strategies-for-high-candidate-conversion/Boost your candidate conversion rate to 90%+ with these 6 proven hiring strategies. Learn how to attract, engage, and secure top engineering talent.Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThiringlearninghttps://www.marian.coach/blog/3-performance-criteria-every-leader-needs/https://www.marian.coach/blog/3-performance-criteria-every-leader-needs/Fire or invest? Learn 3 key criteria for tough performance decisions before it's too late. Avoid common mistakes and take action to protect your team.Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMTengineering-managementleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/agile-isnt-dead-unlock-more-value-from-scrum-masters/https://www.marian.coach/blog/agile-isnt-dead-unlock-more-value-from-scrum-masters/Discover how continuous improvement, value flow, and strategic alignment can transform your Agile practices and lead your teams to real results.Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTleadershipmetricshttps://www.marian.coach/blog/community-of-practice-for-engineering-managers/https://www.marian.coach/blog/community-of-practice-for-engineering-managers/Bi-weekly rituals, 6 discussion areas, the tiger-team model, and the exact tools to run a CoP that actually changes how EMs work. Real playbook, not theory.Sun, 15 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTengineering-managementcommunityplaybookleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/11-steps-to-transform-your-learning-culture/https://www.marian.coach/blog/11-steps-to-transform-your-learning-culture/Without a real learning culture, your top talent will leave. This guide shows you how to build high-performing teams that thrive through continuous learning.Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTcompensationlearninghttps://www.marian.coach/blog/cto-exit-strategy-10-proven-steps/https://www.marian.coach/blog/cto-exit-strategy-10-proven-steps/My CTO exit strategy is grounded in years of experience working with some of the largest software companies in the Czech Republic and mentoring engineeringMon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTcompensationhiringleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/guide-to-leading-your-new-dev-team/https://www.marian.coach/blog/guide-to-leading-your-new-dev-team/“In three months, I’ll embrace the new dev team, complete an internal audit, and present my battle plan.”Sat, 19 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTengineering-managementleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/the-right-compensation-model-for-your-dev-team/https://www.marian.coach/blog/the-right-compensation-model-for-your-dev-team/Every CTO has faced the challenge: “What’s the best compensation model for my R&D team?” With so many options, it can feel overwhelming.Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTcompensationlearninghttps://www.marian.coach/blog/2025-entrepreneur-strategy/https://www.marian.coach/blog/2025-entrepreneur-strategy/Exposing My 2024 Financial Data, Streams, Reviews, and Plans.Sun, 11 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMTcompensationconsultingsolopreneurhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/how-to-influence-my-manager/https://www.marian.coach/blog/how-to-influence-my-manager/Don't just bring up problems. Tell the managers what they get in return.Sun, 14 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.marian.coach/blog/earn-six-figures-in-6-months-your-guide-to-landing-30-clients-and-growing-your-business/https://www.marian.coach/blog/earn-six-figures-in-6-months-your-guide-to-landing-30-clients-and-growing-your-business/Currently, I’m guiding two extra mentees with a different mission: They want to follow my path as a solopreneur.Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMTengineering-managementsolopreneurhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/11-keys-to-mastering-performance-reviews/https://www.marian.coach/blog/11-keys-to-mastering-performance-reviews/Have you ever thought about conducting performance reviews that your team actually loves? You have the power to establish a system that brings value to bot…Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMTcareerperformance-reviewhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/10-interview-questions-to-hire-the-right-engineering-manager/https://www.marian.coach/blog/10-interview-questions-to-hire-the-right-engineering-manager/How do I onboard an Engineering/Tech Manager ace ♣️ in just 3 months? Do this: 1️⃣ Decide how much of Technical/Delivery, Leadership and Process scope you…Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMTcompensationengineering-managementhiringhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/want-to-get-promoted-the-software-developers-secret-weapon-for-advancing-in-your-career/https://www.marian.coach/blog/want-to-get-promoted-the-software-developers-secret-weapon-for-advancing-in-your-career/Developers think about technical skills when they want a career promotion. But managers care equally about a broader set of qualities.Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMTcareerhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/engineering-manager-course-training-part-one-foundation/https://www.marian.coach/blog/engineering-manager-course-training-part-one-foundation/Engineering Manager Course: Confidently lead engineering teams that ship and scale using techniques and lessons acquired through real-world experience.Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMTengineering-managementleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/solopreneur-strategy-for-fractional-advisor-coach-mentor/https://www.marian.coach/blog/solopreneur-strategy-for-fractional-advisor-coach-mentor/No strategy → no focus → no improvements → no differentiators → no happiness in what I do → back to employee mode.Thu, 21 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMTcompensationsolopreneurhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/better-than-dora-metrics-team-productivity/https://www.marian.coach/blog/better-than-dora-metrics-team-productivity/What's the purpose of having expensive highly performing teams if they don't work on things that matter the most, having 60% off-roadmap contribution?Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMTdeliverymetricshttps://www.marian.coach/blog/unbeatable-solopreneur-strategy/https://www.marian.coach/blog/unbeatable-solopreneur-strategy/A well-crafted battle plan is your strategic compass when navigating the competitive landscape of client engagement.Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMTsolopreneurhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/consultant-advisory-guide-on-client-ground/https://www.marian.coach/blog/consultant-advisory-guide-on-client-ground/Becoming a Successful Consultant: It's Not Guesswork, It's a Solid Battle Plan.Sun, 15 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMTconsultinghttps://www.marian.coach/blog/from-vpe-to-solo-mentoring-year-one/https://www.marian.coach/blog/from-vpe-to-solo-mentoring-year-one/The full story of leaving a €230k VPE seat to build a mentoring venture. Y1 numbers, the strategy that worked, and the mistakes I made.Wed, 30 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMTsolopreneurmentoringfounder-storyengineering-leadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/one-on-ones/https://www.marian.coach/blog/one-on-ones/The 60-min slot, the 4-session foundation to build trust, the core agenda, and the async pattern. The full playbook I use with every new mentee running 1:1s.Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMTone-on-onesengineering-managementplaybookhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/what-a-staff-engineer-role-is-all-about/https://www.marian.coach/blog/what-a-staff-engineer-role-is-all-about/Are you grappling with uncertainty when it comes to introducing a Staff Engineer role within your organization? Do you wonder about their work’s scope and…Wed, 17 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.marian.coach/blog/9-solid-tips-to-grow-your-teams-talent-in-a-year/https://www.marian.coach/blog/9-solid-tips-to-grow-your-teams-talent-in-a-year/“I have no time to grow my teammates. We have to deliver … I can’t keep up with the pace anymore.” ?Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMTcompensationengineering-managementleadershiphttps://www.marian.coach/blog/vp-of-engineering-mews-a-look-back-on-my-1st-year/https://www.marian.coach/blog/vp-of-engineering-mews-a-look-back-on-my-1st-year/Life is fun! Joining a new company in April 2020 couldn’t have been easier: The Prague HQ office got closed due to the virus whose name we shall not mentio…Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMTcompensationengineering-managementleadershiptrusthttps://www.marian.coach/blog/how-to-make-your-teams-beat-okrs/https://www.marian.coach/blog/how-to-make-your-teams-beat-okrs/How to Make Your Teams Beat OKRs - OKRs for engineering teamsWed, 17 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMTcompensationdeliveryhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/learn-or-die/https://www.marian.coach/blog/learn-or-die/At work, do you need to be a stronger weightlifter to outdo more senior guys? Not necessarily. The difference lies in learning.Tue, 08 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMTlearninghttps://www.marian.coach/blog/great-people-are-active-in-self-learning/https://www.marian.coach/blog/great-people-are-active-in-self-learning/Top picks of Engineering Management and LeadershipSun, 15 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMTengineering-managementleadershiplearningproducthttps://www.marian.coach/blog/how-to-excel-in-engineering-management/https://www.marian.coach/blog/how-to-excel-in-engineering-management/Stay focused and invest your time into improvements of a bigger scale. Don’t stay at the level of resolving small daily issues, which results in hundreds o…Tue, 29 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMTcareercompensationengineering-managementhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/dont-let-yourself-be-held-hostage-by-estimates/https://www.marian.coach/blog/dont-let-yourself-be-held-hostage-by-estimates/Oftentimes I hear stakeholders or PMs complaining that the engineering team repeatedly fails to complete their work on time.Tue, 15 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMTcompensationhttps://www.marian.coach/blog/innovation-days-transforming-ideas-to-product/https://www.marian.coach/blog/innovation-days-transforming-ideas-to-product/Our unique way of supporting our staff to be creative and promoting ideas which go beyond the collective work plan, but which can largely influence the ope…Fri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMTcompensationmetricshttps://www.marian.coach/blog/how-to-build-trust-with-engineering-teams/https://www.marian.coach/blog/how-to-build-trust-with-engineering-teams/In engineering management, my vision is to create a productive software delivery environment that developers are proud to work in, with a focus on tangible…Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMTcompensationdeliveryengineering-managementtrusthttps://www.marian.coach/blog/what-makes-a-great-software-company/https://www.marian.coach/blog/what-makes-a-great-software-company/My humble effort to put the topmost indicators of what defines great software companies in the first place.Thu, 22 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMTcompensationtrust