Individual Contributor Influence: How to Drive Business Outcomes as a Principal Engineer

Google Principal Engineer David Grizzanti walks through the shift from coding hero to strategic powerhouse—why the next rung up can feel empty, how to untangle the “staff-plus” trap by expanding your scope, choosing projects with clear metrics, smart delegation, and building cross-org ties. He also shares quick wins like a 30/60/90-day plan for new hires and tips on asking sharper questions to score early visible wins.

Next up: turbocharge your influence with an “Influence Flywheel” (writing, buy-in, trust), use DACI to speed decisions, and shape your engineering culture by setting new norms—think anthropologist/archaeologist style. Finally, learn how to reflect, plan your own roadmap, and become a true multiplier in your org.

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