Working in tech is very much about people: collaborating with your team and creating solutions for your customers.
In today's dynamic tech industry, leadership and collaboration are essential in creating an innovative and successful team culture. Matteo Betti, Product Software Engineering Manager at Wolters Kluwer, exemplifies this approach through his dedication to mentoring and creating positive work environments. "I enjoy coaching and mentoring people; it’s what I love to do", he says.
What has your career path been? How did you get to this point?
I began my career as a software developer over ten years ago, building a strong technical foundation and analytical skills. From the start, I worked with the Scrum framework and Agile practices, which have become integral to my approach.
After some time I transitioned to a Scrum Master role. This shift allowed me to develop leadership skills and gain experience in organizational design and change management.
I then realized I had developed a passion for creating positive, motivating work environments; I enjoy coaching and mentoring people, it’s what I love to do.
When you started your career, was working in tech as you expected it to be?
The reality was better than the expectation! Coming from an engineering background, I thought technology would be the only real focus. But I realized that working in tech is also very much about people—collaborating with your team and creating solutions for your customers.
What is your current role like?
I’m a Product Software Engineering Manager, working in the DXG team of our Corporate Performance & ESG business. A key focus for me is translating business needs into actionable capability build-up and hiring plans for my teams.
To achieve these goals I play a key role in attracting, developing, and retaining top engineering talent and I need to collaborate closely with the recruiting process, including candidate screening and interviews, and I help define the team composition and overall organizational design.
A critical element of my role is the need to give regular supportive and direct feedback to my team, both helping them set career growth goals and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. I also set performance goals aligned with both employee expectations and company needs, and conduct periodic check-ins to monitor progress, collect feedback, and offer support and direction as and when needed.
As a manager I of course need to proactively identify blockers, problems, or red flags and ensure that the teams are aware of these so they can take timely action to address them.
Currently, I lead a team of 29 direct reports in the areas of cloud platform and DevOps, ensuring that we meet our strategic objectives and maintain high standards of performance and collaboration. Alongside other Product Software Engineering Managers and agile coaches, I work with our CTO on organizing the department, with a strong focus on continuous improvement.
How does your role contribute to the company’s success?
My role bridges technical excellence and people development. By ensuring we have the right people in place, and guiding and supporting them, I help drive our company's success.
I foster a positive work environment to attract and retain top talent. For example, I help organize events like "GETIN," where we invite industry experts in our Lab in Lucca to share insights and collaborate with our teams, highlighting our practices and technical excellence.
What aspects of your work are most fulfilling for you?
It’s great supporting people's growth and fostering a culture of continuous improvement by helping my team build new skills, gain confidence, and align with best practises in the industry.
It’s incredibly rewarding and I strive to create an environment where there are clear processes and goals. So everyone in my team send has a clear understanding of their roles and how they contribute to the success of the company.
It’s also fulfilling to see how our work directly supports customers, especially in high-stakes environments. Knowing that our efforts help businesses succeed motivates me every day.
How does Wolters Kluwer support your growth and development?
Wolters Kluwer is committed to growth and learning. I’ve participated in training programs like the Transition to Leadership program, and benefited from mentorship initiatives and ongoing feedback.
We also emphasize continuous learning, encouraging team members to explore new technologies and approaches. This proactive support helps me stay curious and grow both personally and professionally.
What skills are crucial for success in your career?
Success in this field requires a combination of technical, leadership, and interpersonal skills like problem-solving and decision-making. It’s important to be good at facilitating so you can manage team dynamics, for example during meetings.
Strong communication, story-telling skills and emotional intelligence are also useful, to align teams and foster collaboration.
Personal qualities like adaptability, a growth mindset, and the ability to listen to and absorb different viewpoints, to gain diverse perspectives, are equally important for long-term success.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in software, like yours?
Transitioning into a leadership role requires patience, as the impact of your decisions take time to manifest. It’s crucial to develop a holistic mindset and embrace diverse perspectives, as they can reveal new angles or blind spots.
Seek and provide feedback frequently, as transparency and open communication are essential for growth. Celebrate successes with your team and remain open to learning—it’s the key to building trust and driving progress.