For New and Soon-to-Be Engineering Managers

Succeed as a First-Time Engineering Manager

Nobody hands you a management manual on day one. Get 1-on-1 coaching from experienced engineering leaders who will help you build the skills, confidence, and instincts to lead your team effectively from the start.

Expert mentors available 60 min sessions 19 mentors online

Find Your New Manager Coach

Mentors from top companies

Sound Familiar?

You're not alone. These are the challenges we hear most.

You Have No Idea What You Are Doing

Yesterday you were coding. Today you are responsible for other people's careers, motivation, and growth. The job description is vague and nobody trained you for this.

Your 1:1s Are Awkward and Unproductive

You are not sure what to talk about, how to structure the conversation, or how to make these meetings genuinely valuable for your reports. It feels like forced small talk.

Giving Feedback Terrifies You

You need to have difficult conversations about performance, behavior, and growth areas. But you have never been taught how to deliver feedback that is honest without being hurtful.

Build Your Management Foundation with Expert Coaching

Our mentors are experienced engineering leaders who remember exactly what those first months feel like. They will give you proven frameworks for every core management skill (1:1s, feedback, delegation, performance reviews, and hiring) so you stop guessing and start leading with confidence.

Find Your New Manager Coach

1:1 and Feedback Frameworks

Get structured templates for effective 1:1s and feedback conversations that you can start using immediately. No more winging it with awkward meetings.

First 90 Days Roadmap

Your mentor will map out your first three months: what to focus on each week, how to build trust, when to make changes, and what mistakes to avoid.

Delegation Without Losing Control

Learn to delegate effectively so your team grows while quality stays high. Understand what to delegate, what to keep, and how to track without micromanaging.

Difficult Conversation Practice

Role-play the tough conversations you are dreading: performance concerns, scope disagreements, career disappointments, with someone who has had hundreds of them.

How It Works

Get started in three simple steps

Choose Your Mentor

Browse mentors by company experience, expertise, and availability. Every mentor is vetted and actively working in the industry.

Book a Session

Select a time slot that works for you. Sessions are conducted over video call with screen sharing for hands-on practice.

Get Results

Receive personalized feedback, actionable strategies, and follow-up resources to accelerate your career goals.

Meet Our Mentors

Learn from engineers at the world's top companies

Vinay Bansal

Senior Engineering Leader

Google Nike Startup

Sandeep Kochhar

CTO

Paint Minds Consulting Pvt Ltd Honeywell IBM

Nishant Kumar

Principal Engineer at Microsoft

Microsoft Rackspace Ericsson

Gregory Bates

VP of Engineering, Artificial Intelligence at The Coca-Cola...

Mastercard Kasier Permanente Coca-Cola

These are just a few of our expert mentors. Search for your perfect match →

Success Stories

See how engineers like you achieved their goals

“

My mentor helped me navigate a challenging career transition with genuine empathy. Every session was focused on my specific goals, and the personalized guidance gave me the confidence to land a senior role at a top-tier company.

Ana Reyes

Software Engineer

“

The mentorship I received was transformative. My mentor brought deep technical expertise and exceptional communication skills that helped me master system design. I went from struggling with interviews to receiving multiple offers.

Danish Kalim

Software Engineer

“

After months of preparation on my own, I knew I needed expert guidance. Choosing BeTopTen was the best decision - my mentor's targeted feedback on my coding and behavioral interviews directly led to my promotion.

Amruta Rathod

Senior Developer

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about First-Time Manager Coaching

When should I start coaching: before or after becoming a manager?

Before is ideal. If you know a management role is coming, starting coaching before day one lets you prepare mentally, build frameworks, and avoid the most common first-month mistakes. But any time in your first year of management is valuable, the learning curve is steep and having a coach dramatically shortens it.

How is this different from reading management books?

Books give you theory. Your mentor gives you personalized, contextual guidance for your specific team, company, and challenges. They can react to your real situations in real time, role-play difficult conversations with you, and share lessons from their own management journey that no book captures.

What if I realize management is not for me?

That is a completely valid outcome and your mentor will help you evaluate it honestly. Some people discover they are better suited for Staff+ IC tracks, and realizing that early is far better than struggling for years in the wrong role. Your mentor will help you make the decision with clarity.

How do I handle managing former peers?

This is one of the most common challenges for new managers. Your mentor will walk you through specific strategies for resetting relationships, establishing authority without arrogance, and navigating the awkwardness of managing people who were recently your equals.

How often should I meet with a management coach?

For new managers, bi-weekly sessions during the first 3 months provide the most value. After that, monthly sessions work well for ongoing development. Many mentees also book ad-hoc sessions before difficult conversations or performance review cycles.

First-Time Manager Coaching Find Your Mentor