Most engineers don’t fail because they lack technical ability. They fail because they walk into their first job with the wrong mindset. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down exactly what to do in your first 90 days after getting hired. Not theory, practical, tactical advice you can apply immediately to build momentum, earn trust, and separate yourself fast.

Key Topics Covered

• Why your degree doesn’t prepare you for real-world engineering
• The critical mistake new hires make by trying to change systems too early
• How to learn company systems and processes fast and actually use them
• The difference between learning your job vs. learning how the company operates
• How to identify expectations of your role and execute against them
• Why asking better questions accelerates your growth more than raw intelligence
• How to reverse-engineer success by studying high performers
• The truth about output: why volume of work matters early in your career
• Why effort and reps beat talent in your first year
• How failing fast early builds long-term leverage and confidence

Actionable Steps

• Spend your first 30 days learning systems, tools, and processes inside and out
• Ask for SOPs, documentation, and workflows. Study them aggressively
• Identify who owns what and how work actually flows through the company
• In days 30–60, define your role clearly and document expectations
• Ask high performers how they succeeded and look for patterns
• Build a “battle plan” for the skills that actually matter in your role
• Prioritize output. Do more work than expected and deliver it on time
• Ask questions constantly until things click. Don’t guess blindly
• Put in extra reps early, inside or outside work, to close the experience gap
• Fail quickly while stakes are low so you don’t fail when it matters

Who This Episode Is For

• New graduates about to start or just started their first engineering job
• Engineers in their first year who feel lost or overwhelmed
• High performers who want to accelerate their growth early
• Engineers tired of guessing and wanting a clear execution plan
• Anyone who wants to become indispensable, not just competent

Why It Matters

Your first 90 days set the tone for your reputation, your trajectory, and your opportunities. This is where trust is built, habits are formed, and momentum is created. If you show up with urgency, ownership, and output, you separate yourself fast. If you don’t, you blend in and fall behind. The gap compounds quickly.

Where to Listen

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

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Most engineers don’t struggle because of technical ability. They struggle because they never learn how to communicate, show presence, and lead conversations. In this episode, we bring back communication expert Salvatore Manzi to break down what it actually takes to be heard, trusted, and followed. Not theory, practical, tactical advice you can apply immediately to how you show up in meetings, conversations, and high-stakes moments.

Key Topics Covered
• Why technical skill alone will never make you influential
• The three pillars of communication: content, delivery, and presence
• What “presence” actually means and how to build it intentionally
• Confidence vs. command vs. trust and how they show up in the room
• Why engineers lose credibility when they guess instead of clarify
• The “Here’s what I know / Here’s what I don’t know” framework
• How to handle pressure, curveballs, and executive questioning
• Why most conflict comes from unspoken preferences and expectations
• The power of assuming positive intent and reframing conversations
• How to earn trust by aligning your actions with your values

Actionable Steps
• Practice “Here’s what I know / Here’s what I don’t know” in daily conversations
• Speak within the first 5 minutes of any meeting to establish presence
• Paraphrase what others say before responding to improve clarity and trust
• Pause intentionally when speaking to control pace and command attention
• Define your top 5 values and use them to guide decisions and behavior
• Enter conversations with a clear goal and a question you need answered
• Address conflict by identifying preferences instead of arguing positions
• Use “Oops, Ouch, Wow” to reset boundaries without escalating tension
• Reframe emotional reactions by assuming positive intent first
• Build repetition through low-stakes practice so it shows up under pressure

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers who feel overlooked despite strong technical performance
• Early-career professionals who want to stand out and be taken seriously
• High performers struggling with communication or executive presence
• Engineers dealing with conflict, misalignment, or difficult conversations
• Anyone ready to move from individual contributor to leader

Why It Matters
You don’t get recognized for what you know. You get recognized for what you can communicate, influence, and execute. Presence drives visibility. Visibility drives trust. And trust is what creates real career growth. If you can’t lead the room, someone else will.

Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

Share
If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

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To learn the ins and outs of Salvatore's approach to clear and compelling communication, you can pre-order the re-release of his awesome book here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/clear-and-compelling-salvatore-manzi/1148510383?ean=9798895740347

Most engineers don’t struggle with anxiety because they have too much to do. They struggle because they don’t take action on the right things. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down how anxiety shows up in your career, what’s actually causing it, and how to eliminate it through execution. Not theory, practical, tactical advice you can apply immediately to regain control of your time, energy, and performance.

Key Topics Covered:
• Why most workplace anxiety is tied to avoidance, not workload
• How to identify the 1–2 real drivers behind your stress
• The concept of “spiraling” and how engineers trap themselves mentally
• Why action is the fastest way to reduce anxiety
• How overplanning and perfectionism create paralysis
• The 3–5 task rule to regain control of your day
• Why reps and repetition eliminate fear in presentations and interviews
• How practicing adjacent skills builds real confidence
• The danger of judging your own execution too early
• How to separate what you can control vs what you can’t

Actionable Steps:
• Identify the exact 1–2 things causing your anxiety, not the noise
• Take immediate action on what you can control, even if imperfect
• Write down your top 3–5 priorities for the day and execute them fully
• Limit your task list to what you can realistically complete
• Use time blocks or focused work sessions to create momentum
• If something can’t be solved today, create a clear plan for tomorrow
• Stop waiting for the “perfect” approach before starting
• Build reps through low-stakes practice before high-stakes moments
• Avoid self-judgment while you’re still in the learning phase
• Eliminate or ignore stressors that are completely outside your control

Who This Episode Is For:
• Engineers who feel constantly overwhelmed but aren’t making progress
• Early-career professionals stuck in overthinking and hesitation
• High performers dealing with creeping burnout or mental fatigue
• Engineers preparing for presentations, interviews, or increased visibility
• Anyone struggling to shut off work and be present outside of it

Why It Matters:
Anxiety isn’t just a feeling. It’s a signal that something is unresolved. If you don’t take control of it, it will drain your energy, reduce your performance, and stall your career growth. Engineers who learn to act decisively, focus on what matters, and build confidence through execution separate themselves fast.

Where to Listen:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

Share:
If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do