This week, we brought all our Engineering Managers and Heads of Engineering together in London for a workshop focused on one big question:
What does great engineering leadership look like at Rightmove?
In the lead-up, we each took time to review our company HOWs and explore leadership principles from other organisations, including Amazon’s Leadership Principles and Google’s approach to leadership. These helped us reflect on what resonates most with our personal leadership styles, and where we could grow or lead more consistently by example. That grounding meant we came in ready to contribute meaningfully from the first sticky note.
It couldn’t have been better timed. Our newly refreshed company values (aka HOWs) were shared just the day before, so the energy and alignment were already in full flow.
The morning followed a structured format, giving us time to think, speak and reflect:
Welcome & framing
Collective definition of leadership principles
Case studies: Applying principles to leadership challenges
Wordsmithing and prioritising our principles
Reflection and wrap-up (open round table)
What really made the workshop land was the psychologically safe space we created together. It could have been difficult for some voices to be heard – especially with one participant joining on their very first day at Rightmove – but everyone contributed with confidence and humbleness. There were no egos in the room, and that tone echoed through to our shared suggestions and the way we collaborated throughout the day.
The case study section stood out as a highlight. These weren’t awkward role-play exercises; just grounded, mostly true scenarios (with a bit of creative licence) that prompted rich discussion in our small groups. We tackled tricky dynamics like unheard voices in meetings, clashing priorities, and what to do when your values are tested under pressure. Real challenges, real talk.
Naturally, many of us leaned on ChatGPT or Copilot to help shape and finesse our wording; embracing AI in our workflow, which ties directly into one of our strategic pillars. It was fascinating to see how similar themes were articulated in completely different ways, showing how these tools reflect our individual tones, habits and perspectives.
These principles aren’t final yet, but they’re already powerful. And we’re one team; so once they’re shaped up, we’ll all have the opportunity to share them, live them, and make them part of how we lead across Rightmove.
Although themes are starting to emerge, the real work lies ahead:
making sure these principles aren’t just words on a page, but part of our default way of leading.
We’re intentionally crafting the language to be action-based, so they serve as real guidance in the day-to-day – helping us lead with purpose, consistency and intent.
Key takeaways
Great leadership isn’t just about what you do, it’s how you show up – with clarity, empathy and consistency
Leadership challenges are rarely black and white; talking through real examples builds shared understanding and trust
AI tools can enhance, not replace, our thinking; the value comes from the human reflection and intent behind the words
Time together matters; creating space to listen, reflect and align helps build a stronger, more connected leadership culture
Principles don’t need to be perfect first time; co-creating them together is how we make them meaningful and lasting
Psychological safety is foundational; when people feel safe, they speak up – and that’s where the real leadership growth happens
Big thanks to Joe S, Sam H, Bennie J and Andrew T for organising and facilitating the session, especially during such a busy time of year. They created space for honest, practical conversations that brought all us engineering managers closer together and set a solid foundation for what’s next.
