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Who am I?

Xuan Nguyen – Engineering Leader & Career Coach



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👋 About Me

I am an engineering leader, career coach, and technology consultant, passionate about building high-performing engineering teams and enabling individuals to grow in their careers. My journey spans engineering leadership, career coaching, and business operations, where I focus on scaling teams, optimizing processes, and empowering individuals.


As an INTJ with an IAS (Investigative - Artistic - Social) profile, I thrive at the intersection of technology, people, and strategy: 🔹 Strategic & Analytical (I) – I enjoy solving complex technical and organizational challenges. 🔹 Creative & Innovative (A) – I take an open-minded approach to leadership and coaching. 🔹 People-Oriented & Supportive (S) – I am passionate about mentoring, coaching, and team development.

🎯 What I Do

1️⃣ Engineering Leadership & Scaling Teams

I specialize in building and leading high-performance engineering teams, with a focus on: ✔ Scaling engineering organizations – Ensuring teams grow efficiently while maintaining productivity and culture. ✔ Optimizing software delivery – Improving engineering processes, system reliability, and execution speed. ✔ Bridging business and technology – Aligning engineering efforts with business goals for impact. ✔ Navigating new domains – Adapting engineering practices to different industries, such as Microsoft Business Central and eCommerce operations.

2️⃣ Coaching & Consulting for Engineering Growth

I help individuals and companies build stronger engineering teams and career pathways by: ✔ Coaching engineers & leaders – Helping them grow their skills, navigate career challenges, and transition into leadership roles. ✔ Improving hiring & interview processes – Supporting IT companies in refining their technical hiring and selection strategies. ✔ Advising engineering organizations – Helping teams enhance productivity, retention, and collaboration.

🧠 How I Learn & Adapt to New Domains

I believe that no domain is entirely new—there are always overlapping principles from previous experiences. My learning framework follows these steps: ✅ Identify key overlaps with my past expertise – Finding common patterns between industries. ✅ Define what success looks like in the new role – Setting clear goals for learning and impact. ✅ Engage in discussions & deep dive into the domain – Learning from experts and practitioners. ✅ Refine and adapt strategies over time – Applying what works while continuously iterating.
This structured approach has helped me transition into Microsoft Business Central & eCommerce operations, where I navigate ERP systems, process automation, and business operations while leveraging my engineering leadership experience.

💡 How I Make Decisions

My decision-making approach balances analytical thinking, intuition, and practical execution: ✔ Data-Driven Thinking – I rely on structured analysis and logical reasoning. ✔ First Principles Approach – I break down problems to their core fundamentals before finding solutions. ✔ Cognitive Bias Awareness – Inspired by Thinking, Fast & Slow, I actively challenge assumptions and avoid biases in decision-making. ✔ People & Context Awareness – I recognize that decisions are not just logical—they affect people, teams, and culture.

👥 My Leadership Philosophy

I believe that great engineering teams thrive on culture, structure, and empowerment. My leadership principles include: ✅ Kindness & Transparency – Building an open, trust-based environment where people feel valued. ✅ Proactiveness – Taking ownership, anticipating challenges, and driving solutions. ✅ Humility & Continuous Learning – Acknowledging that there’s always more to learn from others. ✅ Balancing People & Execution – Engineering is both a people and a process challenge—success comes from getting both right.
I apply these principles whether leading teams, mentoring engineers, or helping companies scale.

✍️ Writing & Communication

In addition to my technical and leadership endeavors, I’m actively honing my writing skills. I believe that effective communication is key to sharing insights, inspiring teams, and fostering continuous learning. Whether it’s through blog posts, articles, or reflective essays, my writing practice allows me to articulate complex ideas clearly and engage with a broader audience.

📚 Books That Inspire Me

I believe that reading is one of the best ways to refine thinking, challenge perspectives, and grow as a leader and coach. Here are some books that have significantly influenced my approach to engineering leadership, decision-making, and career development:

📖 Leadership & Decision-Making

Start with Why – Simon SinekKey lesson: Great leaders inspire action by focusing on why they do what they do rather than just what and how.
Thinking, Fast & Slow – Daniel KahnemanKey lesson: Understanding cognitive biases and how they impact leadership decisions.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things – Ben HorowitzKey lesson: Navigating tough leadership challenges in tech companies.

📖 Coaching & Leadership Growth

The Coaching Habit – Michael Bungay StanierKey lesson: Asking the right questions to coach people effectively without jumping straight into advice-giving.
Good Leaders Ask Great Questions – John C. MaxwellKey lesson: How great leaders use questions to learn, connect, and develop others.
Radical Candor – Kim ScottKey lesson: How to give honest yet compassionate feedback to build strong teams.

📖 Personal Growth & Productivity

Atomic Habits – James ClearKey lesson: How small, consistent habits lead to big transformations over time.
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari – Robin SharmaKey lesson: The power of having purpose, The Magic of Daily Rituals, and the impact of Giving Back and Making a Difference.
🔹 I'm always open to book recommendations! Feel free to share your favorite reads.

📚 Beyond Work: My Interests
🎵 Music & Piano
Description
A lifelong passion for melodies, rhythm, and creative expression.
📖 Reading
Description
Exploring books on leadership, technology, psychology, and strategy.
Football
Description
A game of strategy, teamwork, and resilience, much like engineering leadership.

🤝 Let’s Work Together

🔍 How I Can Help

I collaborate with engineering teams, companies, and individuals in the following ways:
Engineering Leadership Coaching Helping engineering managers and leaders develop better team strategies, career growth plans, and execution frameworks.
Building & Scaling Engineering Teams Supporting startups and tech companies in hiring, structuring teams, and optimizing workflows for growth.
Interview Process Optimization Advising companies on how to improve their technical hiring process to attract and assess top talent.
Career Coaching for Engineers Guiding engineers on career transitions, skill development, and leadership pathways.

📩 Get in Touch

If you're interested in collaborating, seeking coaching, or discussing engineering leadership, feel free to reach out:
📧 Email: xuanusm@gmail.com 💼 LinkedIn: 🌐 Website / Coda Page:
Looking forward to meaningful conversations and impactful collaborations! 🚀
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