leadership

Navigating the C-Suite: A Tech Lead’s Guide to Influential Updates

You’re a tech lead, so you know that communication is key to your success. As a tech leader, you need to convey complex ideas and visions to people of varying technical abilities – a challenging task that requires a specific set of communication skills [1]. Whether discussing designs in-team or advocating for your group to…
Managing up Senior Executives as a Tech Lead

Managing up is an essential skill for any tech lead. As highlighted by Ethan Evans, a retired Amazon VP, in his insightful article on managing up to executives, understanding how to interact with higher management can significantly enhance your impact and visibility in a tech organization. Here, we expand on his principles with practical tips…
Over-Engineering in Tech: 3 Essential Tips how to avoid it in your Team

Over-engineering can significantly derail project timelines and inflate budgets in the tech industry. To navigate this, it’s crucial for tech leaders to ensure that engineering efforts are strategically aligned and efficiently executed. This article outlines three essential tips to help your team avoid over-engineering, focusing on critical areas like understanding business problems, balancing innovation with…
Tech interview guide: Essential learnings for leaders to structure and evaluate

In this article we journey through the tech interview process from the perspective of a tech lead tasked with evaluating a candidate for a senior developer position. This case study delves deep into the interview room, presenting a nuanced examination of one candidate’s responses to a series of challenging questions. By showcasing examples of both…
Tech lead responsibilities: Understanding your role

In the fast-evolving landscape of the technology sector, the position of a Tech Lead stands as a pivotal cornerstone in steering teams towards innovation and success. However roles and responsibilities of a tech lead can vary significantly, primarily distinguished by the nature of leadership they exercise: disciplinary versus non-disciplinary. This differentiation not only underscores the…
5 Essential leadership lessons every Tech Manager learns the hard way

Transitioning into a tech leadership role often comes with its own set of unforeseen challenges. While the technical skills that propelled you into a position of leadership are invaluable, they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the qualities a successful tech leader must possess. Below, we explore five essential lessons…
5 Secret Leadership skills every Tech Leader must know

In the rapidly evolving tech industry, effective leadership goes beyond technical and people management capabilities. It’s about embodying a set of core skills that inspire, drive, and sustain innovation and growth within teams and projects. Here are five secret leadership skills every tech lead must know to navigate the complexities of technology and team dynamics…
Technical Strategy and Architectural Guidelines: Why you should define it as a tech leader

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, businesses and organizations face the constant challenge of staying ahead. A robust technical strategy and clear architectural guidelines are pivotal to navigating this complexity, ensuring resilience, scalability, and future growth. This article explores the significance of these elements and their impact on the success of technology-driven initiatives and…
Why you should NOT stop coding as a tech lead

Now you are a tech lead, so you should stop coding, right? NO! As responsibilities expand to include team management, project planning, and strategic decision-making, some tech leads may be tempted to step away from hands-on coding. However, there are compelling reasons why tech leads should resist the urge to abandon the keyboard and continue…
5 tech interview techniques every tech leader must know

As a tech leader, conducting interviews effectively is crucial for building a high-performing team. Here are five tech interview techniques you as a tech leader must know and apply: 1. Prepare with a structured approach Before the interview, define the job requirements and key skills needed for the role. Develop a structured interview process, including…