Tech Lead

Helping Ramp Up Teamwork

As an Engineering Manager, the author is dedicated to helping their team unlock their hidden potential and improve their internal communication and collaboration. To do this, they coach their reports on how to better articulate their thoughts in standups, listen to their peers, and offer help. They also encourage empathy and understanding of different backgrounds and mindsets, as well as the importance of context.

Do the Job before Claiming the Title

When considering a role change, the author learned that instead of asking for a title change first, it is better to try to do the work first. In this case, the author was considering a move into management and was given the opportunity to prove his capabilities by taking ownership of a project and expanding its scope. After successfully doing this, the author was given the confidence to move into a management role.

Understanding What Drives People Can Help You Seduce Senior Engineers to Join Your Company

Companies need to be aware that senior engineers are more likely to choose purpose and passion over a high salary. To attract them, companies should look for experienced professionals at career fairs and networking events, have honest conversations outside the office, and tailor benefits to their specific needs. Two main motives that drive senior engineers are personal growth and mentoring possibilities, so companies should offer trainings and the chance to mentor junior colleagues.

Growing Through Different Engineering Lead Roles

This article outlines the three steps to becoming a tech lead: gaining the trust of the team through competency and integrity, and being a mentor figure to fellow engineers. It also discusses the challenges of transitioning to a tech lead manager role, such as juggling technical work, project management, and people management. The author suggests that new leads should reach out to notable leaders in their organization for mentorship, and that the best solution for productivity challenges is to find the right technical work to grow their ceiling without bottlenecking their team.

Ensuring success for new hires

To avoid taking chances when hiring a new team member, it is recommended to hire them at one level lower of the desired position and promote them after a period of time. This gives the new hire time to learn the ropes and grow into the role, while also providing motivation and a positive vibe to the team. It also presents lower risk for the hiring manager and lower impact of potential failure for the team.

How to Establish Yourself as a Leader

This article is about a woman's journey to becoming a tech lead and tech lead manager. She learned that self-leadership is more than just having a title, and that she could start leading without waiting for a title. She also learned that age doesn't matter when it comes to leadership, and that she should quiet her inner critic and fear in order to pursue her passion for leadership.