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Making the Leap to Tech Lead

Making the Leap to Tech Lead

You’re a solid developer. You’ve built software people use, and it works well for them. Now, you want that next step—to lead a team that builds software.

Over nearly 20 years in this industry, I’ve acted as a Tech Lead many times, mentored dozens of developers towards technical leadership roles, and regularly worked with companies to hire and develop technical leaders.

In this talk, I’ll share the traits, skills, and experiences that shape a successful Tech Lead. We’ll talk about how a Tech Lead empowers and unlocks a team through communication, leadership, technical skill, and impact. We’ll look at what it means to manage yourself and the vital role a Tech Lead plays in building the right thing. We’ll also look at opportunities to grow your Tech Lead skills before you make the jump and how to show your boss that you’re ready.

Ryan Cromwell

October 01, 2019
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  1. Ryan Cromwell
    MAKING THE LEAP
    TO TECH LEAD

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  2. Disclaimer: Framed by Sparkbox, our
    business, the culture we've developed,
    and my own background.

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  3. Making the Leap to Tech Lead
    A TECH LEAD IS...

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  4. A tech is the right hand to the project
    manager.

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  5. A tech lead is measured by the
    success of the team.
    https://randsinrepose.com/archives/the-new-manager-death-spiral

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  6. A tech lead is regularly describing the
    technical vision.

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  7. A tech lead is a model of "how we
    work together".
    https://seesparkbox.com/foundry/successful_tech_teams_and_projects

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  8. A tech lead empowers and unlocks
    the team through communication,
    leadership, technical skill, and impact.

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  9. Making the Leap to Tech Lead
    TECHNICAL SKILL

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  10. Go-to expert in at least one area of
    the codebase.
    Technical Skill

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  11. Perfect person to debug some of the
    most opaque issues.
    Technical Skill

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  12. Finding and building seams in your
    architecture to enable the team to be
    productive and collaborate
    effectively.
    Technical Skill

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  13. Advocating for and building a robust
    build and delivery pipeline using the
    tools at your disposal to create
    feedback loops.
    Technical Skill

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  14. Making the Leap to Tech Lead
    COMMUNICATION &
    LEADERSHIP

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  15. Clearly and convincingly presenting
    ideas, vision, and architecture is a skill.
    Communication & Leadership

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  16. Mentor and teach other developers
    with grace.
    Communication & Leadership

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  17. Making the Leap to Tech Lead
    MANAGING PROJECTS

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  18. Give our customer/client, project
    manager, and team the ability to
    navigate to success.
    Managing Projects

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  19. Decompose work to avoid a single,
    large release.
    Managing Projects

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  20. With budgets and reasonably
    achievable iterations in mind, you'll be
    expected to provide forecasts.
    Managing Projects

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  21. Making the Leap to Tech Lead
    MANAGING SELF

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  22. It's essential that a tech lead deal
    effectively with pressure.
    Managing Self

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  23. Maintaining healthy relationships
    with users, clients, and team members.
    Managing Self

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  24. Making the Leap to Tech Lead
    IMPACT

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  25. Makes others better through code
    reviews, thorough documentation,
    technical guidance, and mentoring.
    Impact

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  26. Opportunities to evolve the
    architecture and open seams for the
    rest of the team.
    Impact

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  27. Making the Leap to Tech Lead
    GROWING

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  28. • Have a plan
    • Talk to your manager
    • Brag sheet (aka resume)
    • Partner
    Growing

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  29. Ryan Cromwell
    MAKING THE LEAP
    TO TECH LEAD

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  30. THANKS!
    @cromwellryan
    [email protected]

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