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Andrew Swerdlow
Web3 Developer and Marketing Professional
Andrew Swerdlow, Senior Director of Software Engineering at Roblox
Andrew Swerdlow is a technology leader with a passion for unlocking team productivity and infrastructure. He currently serves as the Senior Director of Software Engineering at Roblox, where he leads the infrastructure team.1
Prior to joining Roblox in April 2023, Swerdlow held several leadership roles in the tech industry:
- Director of Software Engineering at Instagram (April 2021 - April 2023)1
- Director of Software Engineering at Google, leading Search, Assistant, and Android Dev Infra (January 2017 - April 2021)1
- Senior Software Engineering Manager at Google, overseeing Privacy and YouTube (October 2010 - January 2017)1
Swerdlow has also authored a book on tech leadership and served as an advisor for various startups.1
Educationally, Swerdlow holds a Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of Victoria and a Masters of Computer Science in Software Engineering from the same institution. He also has a Masters of Science in Engineering Management from Drexel University.1
Highlights
Why XFN Teams Are the Secret Sauce
In my years at Google, Instagram, and now Roblox, I've seen firsthand how cross-functional (XFN) teams consistently produce the most innovative and impactful solutions. Here's why I think its important for engineering leaders to help build XFN teams (in some cases Eng needs to help fund the HC):
🧠 Diverse Perspectives Drive Innovation By bringing together experts from different disciplines, we tap into a wealth of knowledge and experiences. This diversity of thought is the catalyst for breakthrough ideas. 🏃♂️ Breaking Down Silos Accelerates Progress Cross-functional teams naturally break down organizational silos, fostering communication and collaboration that might not happen otherwise. 🧩 Holistic Problem-Solving Complex problems require multifaceted solutions. Cross-functional teams approach challenges from all angles, leading to more comprehensive and effective outcomes. 🔄 Rapid Iteration and Learning With diverse expertise in one team, we can iterate quickly, learn fast, and pivot when needed – crucial in our ever-evolving industry. 🤝 Shared Ownership Drives Results When team members from different backgrounds work towards a common goal, there's a sense of shared ownership that drives everyone to excel.
What's your experience with XFN teams? Have you seen similar results in your organization? Have you ever been dropped into a team with little XFN engagement? If so what did you do at the Eng leader?
#Innovation #TechLeadership #CrossFunctionalTeams #TechIndustry #CollaborationWins
Recently, a colleague asked how to improve collaboration with a partner they historically didn't get along with. Here's what I shared:
🔭 Create a shared vision. Define common goals you both want to achieve. 🤝 Establish a 'social code' together. Agree on how you'll communicate, make decisions, and handle disagreements. 👂 Practice active listening. Seek to understand their perspective before responding. 💪 Focus on strengths. Identify what unique skills each person brings and leverage those. 🛡️ Build psychological safety. Make it okay to take risks and share ideas without fear of judgment. ⚖️ Hold each other accountable - respectfully. Give feedback on behaviors, not personality. 🎉 Celebrate wins together. Acknowledge progress and milestones, no matter how small.
Great partnerships aren't born, they're built through intention and effort. What are your tips for improving difficult work relationships?
#Collaboration #TechLeadership #TeamBuilding #Leadership
