About

Five years ago, I was a stressed-out, unhappy Engineering Manager who had realised I’d reached the end of my upward path.

After a decade or more of taking on more responsibility and moving into different roles, I’d discovered that none of it was making me happier at work. I’d grown tired of side projects that didn’t pay particularly well and didn’t fulfil me professionally.

Somewhere along the way, I’d lost touch with the developer I’d been: the person who was endlessly curious about building better systems, solving problems and working with a team to make things better.

So I went back.

I rediscovered the joy of being technical. The satisfaction of solving problems. The pleasure of mentoring and coaching from within a team rather than from above it. I became just another (senior) team member: working the tickets, building things, helping others, and making the world a little better.

What did I learn?

Back on the Tools is the story of what I learned to say yes to — and what I learned to leave to those in a higher pay grade.

I found happiness back on the tools.

Maybe you can too.

Back on the Tools is launching on Leanpub. Sign up there to stay informed or head to richardwbown.com for more.