Hao Qian — Leadership Advisory

Helping technical professionals become effective managers — without burnout.

1:1 advisory for first-time and early-stage tech managers navigating priorities, delegation, and managing up.

Who this is for

This work is designed for technical professionals who are stepping into greater responsibility and finding that the nature of work has fundamentally changed.

You’ve recently moved from senior IC to manager
You feel busy and reactive, but unsure what truly deserves your attention
You’re struggling to balance hands-on work with leadership responsibilities
You’re navigating stakeholder expectations and managing up for the first time
You want to lead well without losing your technical identity or burning out

You don’t need motivation or generic leadership advice. You need clarity, leverage, and a way of thinking that scales.

What I help with

The focus of this work is not theory, but practical decision-making in real situations.

Prioritisation and time allocation
Delegation decisions and leverage
Managing up and stakeholder alignment
Translating business strategy into day-to-day execution
Navigating ambiguity, pressure, and cognitive load
Building a sustainable personal operating system for management

The goal is not to give you answers — it’s to help you develop clearer thinking and better judgement as a manager.

How the advisory works

This is a 1:1 thinking partnership, grounded in your actual work and context.

Typical engagement

90-day advisory
Weekly or bi-weekly 60-minute sessions
Discussions centred on live challenges, decisions, and trade-offs
Light async support for critical thinking moments between sessions

I work with a small number of clients at a time to ensure depth and quality.

About me

I’ve been a people manager in the technology industry since 2017, working across startups and large enterprises, including one of Australia’s largest IT organisations.

Over that time, I’ve managed close to 100 people in total, with teams of up to 18, and have supported multiple senior ICs through their transition into management.

Along the way, I’ve seen the full spectrum — people stepping into leadership with confidence, others struggling quietly under the weight of new expectations, and many navigating the tension between technical excellence and people responsibility.

My approach is shaped by lived experience — understanding both the technical domain and the realities of people leadership at scale.

Engagement & pricing

I work in 90-day advisory engagements.

Indicative pricing

Individuals: AUD $3,600 – $5,400
Company-sponsored engagements may vary depending on scope

Pricing is discussed transparently after an initial conversation to ensure fit on both sides.

Enquiries

If this resonates, you’re welcome to reach out for a short, no-pressure conversation. This is simply an opportunity to explore whether the work would be useful for you.

Australia-based