Melanie Zens
@melaniezens.bsky.social
I help engineering & delivery leaders navigate growth & transformation / I write about systems, frameworks & rituals to create better leaders & teams / www.maraisconsulting.com
The two most valuable skills in the AI age:
Curiosity
+
Adaptability
Curiosity is required to embrace learning curves.
Adaptability is required to pivot when required.
Expect continuous change.
Find good content, choose a learning path, and get started.
Curiosity
+
Adaptability
Curiosity is required to embrace learning curves.
Adaptability is required to pivot when required.
Expect continuous change.
Find good content, choose a learning path, and get started.
March 17, 2025 at 12:18 AM
The two most valuable skills in the AI age:
Curiosity
+
Adaptability
Curiosity is required to embrace learning curves.
Adaptability is required to pivot when required.
Expect continuous change.
Find good content, choose a learning path, and get started.
Curiosity
+
Adaptability
Curiosity is required to embrace learning curves.
Adaptability is required to pivot when required.
Expect continuous change.
Find good content, choose a learning path, and get started.
Crystal ball predictions for the ideal engineer in 2025:
AI is changing conventional ideas about what makes a great engineer.
It's still early days for engineers to leverage AI to level up and future-proof their careers.
I'm summarizing it here in 5 points:
AI is changing conventional ideas about what makes a great engineer.
It's still early days for engineers to leverage AI to level up and future-proof their careers.
I'm summarizing it here in 5 points:
March 13, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Crystal ball predictions for the ideal engineer in 2025:
AI is changing conventional ideas about what makes a great engineer.
It's still early days for engineers to leverage AI to level up and future-proof their careers.
I'm summarizing it here in 5 points:
AI is changing conventional ideas about what makes a great engineer.
It's still early days for engineers to leverage AI to level up and future-proof their careers.
I'm summarizing it here in 5 points:
If you're trying to figure out your AI strategy, ask these 3 questions before jumping in:
- How can AI solve high impact business problems?
- How can I support people with AI adoption?
- How can I measure the impact and reduce risk?
You’ll save yourself so many headaches.
- How can AI solve high impact business problems?
- How can I support people with AI adoption?
- How can I measure the impact and reduce risk?
You’ll save yourself so many headaches.
March 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
If you're trying to figure out your AI strategy, ask these 3 questions before jumping in:
- How can AI solve high impact business problems?
- How can I support people with AI adoption?
- How can I measure the impact and reduce risk?
You’ll save yourself so many headaches.
- How can AI solve high impact business problems?
- How can I support people with AI adoption?
- How can I measure the impact and reduce risk?
You’ll save yourself so many headaches.
Empathy isn’t optional.
The vibe in tech is shifting—hard. Efficiency is in. People-first leadership is out.
But now is not the time to back off. It’s time to double down.
Here's why. 👇
The vibe in tech is shifting—hard. Efficiency is in. People-first leadership is out.
But now is not the time to back off. It’s time to double down.
Here's why. 👇
March 11, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Empathy isn’t optional.
The vibe in tech is shifting—hard. Efficiency is in. People-first leadership is out.
But now is not the time to back off. It’s time to double down.
Here's why. 👇
The vibe in tech is shifting—hard. Efficiency is in. People-first leadership is out.
But now is not the time to back off. It’s time to double down.
Here's why. 👇
Silence isn’t awkward.
It’s a strategy.
As an introverted leader, I use it to foster engagement, build trust, and draw out the best ideas. Here’s how: 👇
It’s a strategy.
As an introverted leader, I use it to foster engagement, build trust, and draw out the best ideas. Here’s how: 👇
March 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Silence isn’t awkward.
It’s a strategy.
As an introverted leader, I use it to foster engagement, build trust, and draw out the best ideas. Here’s how: 👇
It’s a strategy.
As an introverted leader, I use it to foster engagement, build trust, and draw out the best ideas. Here’s how: 👇
I had the "perfect" work-life balance - but I was still exhausted. Turns out, balance wasn’t the answer. Energy management was.
Here are 3 things you can do to manage your energy and find your flow. 👇
Here are 3 things you can do to manage your energy and find your flow. 👇
March 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I had the "perfect" work-life balance - but I was still exhausted. Turns out, balance wasn’t the answer. Energy management was.
Here are 3 things you can do to manage your energy and find your flow. 👇
Here are 3 things you can do to manage your energy and find your flow. 👇
We don’t celebrate men for a single day - so why do we do it for women? Instead of limiting recognition to once a year, here’s how to elevate women every day—and why it leads to better teams, products, and businesses. 👇
March 8, 2025 at 6:54 PM
We don’t celebrate men for a single day - so why do we do it for women? Instead of limiting recognition to once a year, here’s how to elevate women every day—and why it leads to better teams, products, and businesses. 👇
"Be so busy improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others." ~ StoicWisdoms
If you catch yourself judging others, pause and look inward. Criticism is easy and growth takes effort. What will you learn this weekend?
If you catch yourself judging others, pause and look inward. Criticism is easy and growth takes effort. What will you learn this weekend?
March 8, 2025 at 3:33 AM
"Be so busy improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others." ~ StoicWisdoms
If you catch yourself judging others, pause and look inward. Criticism is easy and growth takes effort. What will you learn this weekend?
If you catch yourself judging others, pause and look inward. Criticism is easy and growth takes effort. What will you learn this weekend?
The world’s most valuable skill is also the most underrated one:
Showing up.
I used to overthink everything - hesitating, waiting for the perfect moment, afraid of getting it wrong. But I’ve learned that consistency beats perfection every time.
Here’s how:👇
Showing up.
I used to overthink everything - hesitating, waiting for the perfect moment, afraid of getting it wrong. But I’ve learned that consistency beats perfection every time.
Here’s how:👇
March 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
The world’s most valuable skill is also the most underrated one:
Showing up.
I used to overthink everything - hesitating, waiting for the perfect moment, afraid of getting it wrong. But I’ve learned that consistency beats perfection every time.
Here’s how:👇
Showing up.
I used to overthink everything - hesitating, waiting for the perfect moment, afraid of getting it wrong. But I’ve learned that consistency beats perfection every time.
Here’s how:👇
Most engineering managers I work with struggle with time overwhelm - constant distractions pulling them away from high-impact work. If that sounds familiar, here’s a simple 4-step process to take back control of your time. 👇
March 5, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Most engineering managers I work with struggle with time overwhelm - constant distractions pulling them away from high-impact work. If that sounds familiar, here’s a simple 4-step process to take back control of your time. 👇
Anxiety doesn’t disappear just because you’re a leader. Before tough conversations, it can take over your brain. I’ve been there. But I found a simple, science-backed way to reset in seconds. Here’s how. 👇
March 4, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Anxiety doesn’t disappear just because you’re a leader. Before tough conversations, it can take over your brain. I’ve been there. But I found a simple, science-backed way to reset in seconds. Here’s how. 👇
Most feedback gets ignored - not because it’s wrong, but because of how it’s delivered. My third favorite feedback framework, Q-BIQ, is a 4-step coaching approach that turns feedback into a conversation, not a command. Here’s how it works. 👇
March 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Most feedback gets ignored - not because it’s wrong, but because of how it’s delivered. My third favorite feedback framework, Q-BIQ, is a 4-step coaching approach that turns feedback into a conversation, not a command. Here’s how it works. 👇
Giving feedback is hard. It can get emotional fast. Engineers love facts and data - which is why SBI works so well. In Part 2 of The Feedback Fix, I’m breaking down this 3-step framework to make feedback clear, actionable, and drama-free. Here’s how to use it. 👇
March 2, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Giving feedback is hard. It can get emotional fast. Engineers love facts and data - which is why SBI works so well. In Part 2 of The Feedback Fix, I’m breaking down this 3-step framework to make feedback clear, actionable, and drama-free. Here’s how to use it. 👇
Giving feedback is hard. Too direct, and it backfires. Too soft, and nothing changes. I’ve struggled with this too - but I’ve found 3 feedback frameworks that make it easier. In this series, I’ll break them down. First up: Radical Candor - how to be honest and kind so your feedback lands.👇
March 1, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Giving feedback is hard. Too direct, and it backfires. Too soft, and nothing changes. I’ve struggled with this too - but I’ve found 3 feedback frameworks that make it easier. In this series, I’ll break them down. First up: Radical Candor - how to be honest and kind so your feedback lands.👇
Feedback can feel awkward, uncomfortable, and even risky. Try these simple shifts to make it easier. 👇
February 28, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Feedback can feel awkward, uncomfortable, and even risky. Try these simple shifts to make it easier. 👇
A single piece of advice changed how I operated as a senior leader. Here’s what I learned.
February 28, 2025 at 12:51 AM
A single piece of advice changed how I operated as a senior leader. Here’s what I learned.
Most leadership books tell you what to do. Few tell you what to stop doing.
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is the best book I’ve read on unlearning the habits that hold leaders back.
Here’s why 👇
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is the best book I’ve read on unlearning the habits that hold leaders back.
Here’s why 👇
February 27, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Most leadership books tell you what to do. Few tell you what to stop doing.
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is the best book I’ve read on unlearning the habits that hold leaders back.
Here’s why 👇
What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith is the best book I’ve read on unlearning the habits that hold leaders back.
Here’s why 👇
Navigating 20+ years of constant change wasn’t easy, but I learned that discomfort isn’t something to avoid - it’s where the growth happens. Here’s a short reflection on managing transitions and finding balance in the process.
February 25, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Navigating 20+ years of constant change wasn’t easy, but I learned that discomfort isn’t something to avoid - it’s where the growth happens. Here’s a short reflection on managing transitions and finding balance in the process.
I still remember my first experience with developer productivity metrics - overwhelming data and a mix of excitement and skepticism from my peers. Here’s a few key resources that helped me understand the basics - frameworks, metrics, and how AI is reshaping our work.
February 25, 2025 at 1:06 AM
I still remember my first experience with developer productivity metrics - overwhelming data and a mix of excitement and skepticism from my peers. Here’s a few key resources that helped me understand the basics - frameworks, metrics, and how AI is reshaping our work.
Lately I've been thinking about how disruptive and chaotic the world feels. From a technology perspective, the amount of change is staggering. Sharing a few things that are on my mind right now. More exploration to come in future posts.
February 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Lately I've been thinking about how disruptive and chaotic the world feels. From a technology perspective, the amount of change is staggering. Sharing a few things that are on my mind right now. More exploration to come in future posts.
My 30-day experiment starts now. I'm publishing daily "atomic" essays for people-focused tech leaders. Interested in practical ideas and proven strategies to level up your leadership? Need help navigating constant change and uncertainty? Engineering, delivery, and ops leaders - this is for you.
February 23, 2025 at 12:18 AM
My 30-day experiment starts now. I'm publishing daily "atomic" essays for people-focused tech leaders. Interested in practical ideas and proven strategies to level up your leadership? Need help navigating constant change and uncertainty? Engineering, delivery, and ops leaders - this is for you.