Archive - Humanware

“The great flattening” pipedream returns as an AI-first hallucination

The CEOs who want to flatten the org seem ignorant of how the org works

Jun 11 • Jim Amos

May 2026

The AI mind virus taking over corporate America

The ping pong tables are gathering dust.

May 29 • Jim Amos

Is AI an excuse to avoid the messy human parts of software engineering?

If you’ve read any of my other essays in this Substack you’ll know that I approach software engineering and management from a human-first perspective.

May 15 • Jim Amos

AI is turning software development into a Kafkaesque fever dream

What that means for tech leaders

May 4 • Jim Amos

February 2025

Bring me problems even if you don't know the solution

Quelling a common managerial retort

Feb 18, 2025 • Jim Amos

December 2024

Do you really want to be an Engineering Manager?

Myth versus reality: understanding the requirements and trade-offs.

Dec 23, 2024 • Jim Amos

November 2024

Beware the manager who codes too much

Dispelling the myth of the hands-on engineering manager

Nov 15, 2024 • Jim Amos

October 2024

Human-first 1:1 meetings

Purpose, responsibility, cadence, and continuity

Oct 29, 2024 • Jim Amos

My short and non-exemplary life as a milkman

Or, how I learned what happens in the absence of psychological safety

Oct 22, 2024 • Jim Amos

The manager’s maze: lost in translation

How your communication style and choice of words impacts your leadership

Oct 10, 2024 • Jim Amos

New managers: get to know your direct reports

Being human is key to becoming a leader

Oct 3, 2024 • Jim Amos

September 2024

The Engineering Manager is not a Tech Lead

How getting this wrong leads to robotic tech leadership

Sep 24, 2024 • Jim Amos