Lead with clarity. Build trust. Drive meaningful results.
Note: No future cohorts planned for this course. Check back soon for a new course!
AI is changing how teams build, ship, and collaborate—but the best engineering leaders still stand out for their human skills.
This course helps you develop the communication, feedback, and decision-making tools that drive trust and performance—whether you’re a new manager, an aspiring one, or an engineer who wants to lead without the title.
Join 100+ engineering leaders who’ve leveled up their leadership in the AI era.
What you’ll learn
Master essential people skills to transform from technical expert to impactful leader in today's AI-driven tech landscape.
Learn to spot skill gaps and potential through structured mentoring frameworks
Use AI-powered insights to personalize development plans
Build actionable growth roadmaps that align with business and individual goals
Practice frameworks for high-stakes conversations with ICs, peers, and executives
Leverage AI tools for message prep, follow-up analysis, and refinement
Strengthen influence and alignment across stakeholders
Apply proven feedback frameworks that drive measurable improvement
Use AI-assisted tools for situation analysis and delivery optimization
Build trust by balancing candor with empathy
Who this course is for
New engineering managers looking to build the interpersonal skills required to succeed as a leader in the workplace
Aspiring engineering managers looking to build the skills to land their first job as an engineering manager
Software engineers who are eager to learn how to manage up and build influence without directly managing others
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Kelly Vaughn in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
AI leadership toolkit
Practical prompt templates and tools for team assessment, communication, feedback, and development planning.
Maven Guarantee
Your purchase is backed by the Maven Guarantee.
Course syllabus
6 live sessions • 2 projects
Week 1
Team Assessment & Performance Management
Mar
24
Live Session 1: Becoming the leader your team needs
Mar
26
Live Session 2: Career development without the noise
Mar
27
Optional: Q&A
Week 2
Pre-work: Feedback Mastery & Integration
Mar
31
Live Session 3: Communicate like a leader
Apr
2
Live Session 4: Feedback & conflict, minus the fear
Apr
3
Optional: Q&A
Free resource
Master 5 Tough Conversations in Management
How to manage like a leader, and think like a therapist
Build skills to make the most impact with your team by balancing decisive leadership with empathy and accountability.
How to set clear expectations without micromanaging
Learn how to align on ownership, outcomes, and success metrics, while empowering your team to build confidence.
How to deliver feedback that builds trust, not resentment
Master giving both positive and constructive feedback that will drive meaningful action in 1:1s, retros, and realtime.
How to navigate tough conversations and come out stronger
Gain the confidence to address missed deadlines, team tension, or underperformance without making thinks awkward.
Schedule
Live sessions
2-3 hrs / week
Two 1-hour weekly sessions with one optional QA session each week
Tue, Mar 24
4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
Thu, Mar 26
4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
Fri, Mar 27
4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
Projects
1 hr / week
Async content
1 hr / week