01 Make the standard observable
“When you commit to a deliverable and a deadline, your commitments must matter.” (opens the source)
Agree what done means before assessing the result.
Manager interview prep when AI can draft the feedback
Set the standard. Hear the context. Decide what happens next.
Set a clear standardWhat companies say they’re looking for
02 Discuss the gap without a label
Check the work, workload and blockers before inferring effort.
03 Coach the work, not the usage count
“reflexive AI usage is now a baseline expectation at Shopify.” (opens the source)
Make the AI expectation clear and give people a way to learn.
“We learned that access and usage do not equal transformation” (opens the source)
Judge accepted work as well as time saved.
04 Compare the evidence fairly
Check the record with each person before relying on inherited impressions.
05 Return to the commitment
“When you commit to a deliverable and a deadline, your commitments must matter.” (opens the source)
Return to the agreed evidence and account for your own promises.
Sources
- Diogo Matias, Senior Engineering Manager, at the time. Monzo, “Expectations for an Engineering Manager at Monzo”, Sep 18, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
- Fresia Jackson, Director of People Science Research, at the time. Culture Amp, “Culture Amp Global Benchmarks Highlight Declining Employee Motivation and Recognition”, Mar 7, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
- Tobi Lütke, CEO, quoted from his April 2025 memo, at the time. Shopify, “Serious results, unserious methods: Shopify’s AI playground”, Oct 28, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
- Kathleen Hogan, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, at the time. Official Microsoft Blog, “What we’ve learned from Microsoft’s own AI transformation”, Sep 17, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
- Mahreen Khan and Gianna Ciaccio, Senior Researcher, People Insights / Senior People Data Scientist, at the time. Inside Atlassian, “How to minimize the impact of manager changes”, Sep 19, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Last reviewed Nov 10, 2026