131–140 of 259 posts
Do try to keep things simple. By that I mean if you have the choice between a simple rpc framework and "the netflix microservice architecture with message queues and scalable container orchestration", do learn the latter, set it up, scale it to multiple sites over a vpn, but in the end,
you know what to pick.
If your project pipeline has a non-coding architect, they better be your subordinate. If they are not, be prepared to push back on their design decisions. Ideally they should have a stake in the project delivery.
When some estimate, deadline or feature complexity feels off to you, listen to your inner voice and stand your ground. No matter what others, with more seniority/authority/clout in the company think.
Take care of your team. Get rid of slackers, but don't overwork the others.
Accept responsibility for the failures, and share success with the team. "I failed", "we succeeded".
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Funny how you can judge an entire person based on one post. Is this a skill anyone can learn or so you have unique insight into the human mind?
It's called reading. If you feel that you are a mid level developer then positioning yourself as a newly minted and inexperienced tech lead is a recipe for failure, someone else will be called in later on to clean up the mess, assuming the company survives. I'm only responding to the content of the post, if there is more that I'm not aware of then you're free to point me to it but for now this stands unopposed based…
If a team member comes to you and says that they feel disrespected, discouraged, ignored, or even _bullied_ by a more senior team member, take that seriously. Immediately schedule a 1-on-1-on-1 and don't give anybody any time to prepare. Create a safe space for people to voice their concerns, and express to _everyone_ that if they are not capable of treating others with respect, they can be made redundant.
I'm going through this right now and it sucks. I wish my team lead had my back, but they don't.
I transitioned into a tech lead a year ago and at first it was kind of annoyed by all the requests from the team regarding technical assistance.
I realized there were two paths I could take. 1. Continue to be annoyed and try to get as much coding in as I can. 2. Sit down with each individual, help them, give examples of how things should work etc.
Luckily I chose the latter option and I have a great relationship with all the team, I have strong coders that are more self-sufficient, and I enjoy more time coding now.
I think the lesson I learned is that you get out of your team much more than you put in, strive to inspire your devs.
He also just published another article about quality technical communication, which I'd highly recommend both you and your team read through: https://medium.com/@tpagram/a-guide-to-improving-your-techni...
Just generally, as an employee, what I value in my manager is "someone who's got my back". I would say what that means is, internally, you run interference to shield your reports from management incompetence and thrash, you take responsibility for failures, and internally promote (in the "promoter" sense) them. And externally, proactively provide professional advice and support, even if that means losing someone impo…
A leader is best when people barely know that he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. Fail to honor people, They fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aims fulfilled, they will all say, “We did this ourselves.”
Your role is now defined by what your team needs you to be. Listen to them, care, and see what you can do to help them thrive.
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"tech lead" is not considered an individual contributor role? Is it considered a management role? I'm realizing I'm not quite sure what is meant by a "tech lead" role.
My understanding is that "tech lead" as a role in Big Tech is more of a gateway position to bridge the gap between IC and management roles, a transition for a well-performing engineer who otherwise has no experience managing a team to "bootstrap" and gain that experience. During this, coding expectations for said engineer naturally lowers, and is shifted towards the total productivity of the emerging "subtree".
Make me a proper leader with the ability to truly delegate and alter scope, workload and the timing of work or pound sand.
Few things I would like to say: It will no longer be about you. It will all be about your team. Make sure you create a great team, nurture them, train them, teach them how to think critically (in doing so yourself). Ask your team to write out everything they plan to do before they actually do it. Reason with them on what they wrote and what approach decisions they plan to take. Teach them to think long term. Writing…