People often ask me what resources I used to navigate my way into leadership at Google. While hands-on experience is the best teacher, there are a few “bibles” in the industry that I believe every tech professional should have on their shelf.
If you are looking to level up—whether you’re prepping for an interview or aiming for a promotion—these are the two resources I recommend most often.
1. For the Technical Hurdle: Cracking the Coding Interview
Cracking The Coding Interview(#ad) is the gold standard for a reason. Not only did I use this book myself many times throughout my own career when I was on the candidate side of the table, but I have since coached countless clients to do the same. It is a cornerstone of the preparation strategy I use with my mentees to help them land offers at top-tier firms.
What I love about it isn’t just the practice questions; it’s the strategy. It teaches you how to structure your limited time during a coding session so you don’t get stuck in the weeds.
The Winning Combo: Book + LeetCode This book pairs perfectly with LeetCode practice. While LeetCode gives you the volume of problems you need, the book gives you the framework to solve them. If you’re struggling to balance the two or aren’t sure how to translate book theory into “Speed-to-Code,” reach out to me. I can share specific strategies on how to use these two tools together to maximize your prep efficiency.
2. For the Leadership Hurdle: Radical Candor
Once you land the job, the challenge shifts from writing code to leading people. Radical Candor by Kim Scott(#ad) changed the way I thought about management.
As I mentioned in my post about the [Feedback Model], I used to dread giving feedback. This book taught me that “Caring Personally” and “Challenging Directly” aren’t opposites—they are the two ingredients of a healthy, high-performing team. Whether you are a Tech Lead or an Engineering Manager, this book provides the blueprint for building trust and driving results.
Now That You Have the Tools…
Reading these books is the first step, but applying these concepts under the pressure of a real interview is where the magic happens.
If you’ve done the reading and you’re ready to put these strategies into practice, let’s chat. We can run through a mock interview or a feedback simulation to ensure you’re not just reciting the books, but truly owning the concepts.
I've spent over 25 years navigating the software engineering landscape—scaling teams, fostering well-being, and mentoring the next generation of technical leaders. After 6.5 years at Google, I built a coaching practice to help talented engineers and techies unlock their potential and build the momentum that transforms careers. I'm the coach who meets you at your pivotal moments and helps you make the most of them.