Engineering Leadership in the AI Era
Kelly Vaughn
10+ Years Tech Leader | 20+ Years in Tech | Trained Therapist
What makes a great engineering leader in the modern AI era?
Leaders are remembered not just for their technical skills but for the lasting impact they have on their team’s growth and success. In an era where AI is reshaping how teams work, the human side of leadership has never been more critical.
This course equips aspiring software engineering managers and experienced leaders alike with the interpersonal skills to amplify influence and drive team performance. You’ll learn to combine proven leadership frameworks with AI-powered tools that enhance communication, feedback, and decision-making.
Over 100 ICs and EMs have already strengthened their leadership capabilities through this program. Join them to transform your approach to technical leadership in the AI era and gain the skills to support your team, earn trust, and inspire long-term success.
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 and experienced managers looking to build the interpersonal skills required to succeed as a leader in the AI era
Technical managers who want to develop their team and build influence across their company while navigating AI adoption
Aspiring managers looking to lay the groundwork to create impact as an IC and future leader, preparing for an AI-transformed workplace
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
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
Syllabus
6 live sessions • 2 projects
Week 1
Team Assessment & Performance Management
Oct
21
Live Session 1: Becoming the leader your team needs
Oct
23
Live Session 2: Career development without the noise
Oct
24
Optional: Q&A
Week 2
Pre-work: Feedback Mastery & Integration
Oct
28
Live Session 3: Communicate like a leader
Oct
30
Live Session 4: Feedback & conflict, minus the fear
Oct
31
Optional: Q&A
Featured lesson
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
Your time commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Two 1-hour weekly sessions with one optional QA session each week
Core sessions
- Oct 21Tue4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
- Oct 23Thu4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
- Oct 28Tue4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
- Oct 30Thu4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
Optional sessions
- Oct 24Fri4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)
- Oct 31Fri4:00 PM—5:00 PM (UTC)