the tech leads grind
Published: 2023-04-18 22:37:40


As a staff software engineer and tech lead on a flagship audio app and pursuing an MSc in DSP (backend audio) and AI, you have a unique perspective on the challenges of being a tech lead. You likely have experience managing teams, resolving conflicts, and staying up-to-date with emerging technologies, and you may have had to balance technical work and management responsibilities. Drawing on your experience, you can offer valuable insights into the things that you may not be prepared for when taking on a tech lead role.


##Saying No:
As a tech lead, you'll need to learn how to say no, especially when your team or stakeholders request something that is not feasible or realistic. Saying no can be difficult, but it's essential to set realistic expectations and avoid overcommitting yourself or your team. You'll need to weigh the risks and benefits of taking on a new task or project, and communicate transparently with your team and stakeholders about the reasons behind your decision. Saying no can be challenging, but it's a necessary skill to develop as a tech lead to ensure your team's success and avoid burnout.

##Managing People:
As a tech lead, you'll be responsible for managing people, which can be a daunting task, especially if you haven't had prior experience. To be an effective manager, you'll need to be able to communicate effectively, delegate tasks, provide guidance and feedback, and motivate and support your team members. Developing strong leadership and communication skills is essential for managing people successfully. You'll also need to create a positive work environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Encouraging your team members to share their ideas and opinions can help create a sense of ownership and investment in their work, resulting in better performance and outcomes.

In addition to managing your team, you'll also need to manage relationships with other stakeholders, such as project managers, product owners, and other department heads. Building strong relationships with stakeholders can help you better understand their needs, goals, and expectations, enabling you to manage projects more effectively and deliver better results.

##Prepare to Drink Lots of Coffee and Have Sleepless Nights:
Being a tech lead is a demanding role, and there may be times when you'll need to work long hours or face tight deadlines. This can be challenging, especially if you're not used to working under pressure. You may find yourself drinking more coffee or energy drinks than usual to stay awake, and you may have to sacrifice some of your free time to keep up with your workload.

To cope with the demands of your role, it's essential to develop effective time management skills and prioritize your tasks. This will help you ensure that you're making the most of your time and avoiding unnecessary stress. It's also important to take breaks regularly, get enough sleep, and maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout.

In addition, it's crucial to communicate transparently with your team members and stakeholders about the challenges you're facing. Letting them know that you're working hard and doing your best can help build trust and confidence in your leadership. It can also help them understand the constraints you're facing and enable them to support you more effectively.

While drinking lots of coffee and having sleepless nights may be unavoidable at times, it's important to take care of yourself and prioritize your health and well-being. This will help you stay focused, motivated, and energized, enabling you to perform at your best and lead your team to success.
##Balancing Technical Work and Management Responsibilities:
As a tech lead, you'll need to balance technical work and management responsibilities. On one hand, you'll be responsible for hands-on development work, such as writing code, testing, and debugging. On the other hand, you'll need to manage your team, plan and prioritize work, track progress, and communicate with stakeholders. To balance these responsibilities effectively, you'll need to delegate tasks and responsibilities to your team members, so you have time to focus on high-level tasks.

It's essential to develop time management skills, prioritize tasks, and maintain a clear line of communication with your team members to ensure that you're making the most of your time. You'll also need to continually update your technical knowledge to stay up-to-date with new technologies and tools. This will help you make informed decisions about project requirements, resource allocation, and timelines.

##Dealing with Conflicts:
Conflicts are a natural part of any workplace, and as a tech lead, it's your job to resolve them effectively. Conflict resolution is a challenging skill to develop, but it's essential for building strong relationships with your team members and stakeholders. The first step in conflict resolution is to identify conflicts early and listen to all parties involved. You'll need to create a safe and open environment where people feel comfortable expressing their concerns and opinions.

Next, you'll need to work collaboratively with your team members and stakeholders to find a solution that satisfies everyone. This may involve compromise, negotiation, or finding a creative solution that meets everyone's needs. It's also essential to document the resolution to avoid any misunderstandings and follow up with the parties involved to ensure that the solution is working effectively.

##Staying Up-to-Date with New Technologies:
As a tech lead, it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. Technology is constantly evolving, and keeping up with emerging technologies can help you make informed decisions about project requirements, resource allocation, and timelines. To stay up-to-date with new technologies, you'll need to attend conferences, read industry publications, and participate in online forums.

It's also crucial to evaluate the potential impact of new technologies on your projects and team members' skillsets. This will help you identify any training needs and ensure that your team has the necessary skills and knowledge to work effectively with new technologies. Staying up-to-date with new technologies can also help you identify new opportunities for innovation and improvement, enabling

##Be Prepared to Wear Many Hats:
As a tech lead, you'll be expected to wear many hats and take on multiple roles beyond just technical work. You'll need to be a project manager, a mentor, a communicator, a mediator, a problem solver, and more. This can be overwhelming, especially if you're used to focusing primarily on technical work.

To be an effective tech lead, you'll need to learn how to prioritize your tasks and switch between different roles seamlessly. You'll also need to develop excellent communication skills to collaborate with your team members, stakeholders, and other departments. Being a mentor to junior developers on your team can also help you improve your leadership skills and develop a more well-rounded perspective.

It's also essential to be adaptable and open to learning new skills as you take on different roles. You may need to take on responsibilities outside of your comfort zone, such as public speaking, leading meetings, or creating presentations. While this can be challenging, it can also be an opportunity to grow and develop new skills that can benefit you both personally and professionally.

In summary, being a tech lead requires wearing many hats and taking on multiple roles beyond just technical work. By prioritizing your tasks, developing excellent communication skills, being a mentor to your team, and being adaptable and open to learning new skills, you can excel in your role as a tech lead and lead your team to success.

In conclusion, becoming a tech lead is a challenging but rewarding step in your career. Along with your technical expertise, you'll need to develop strong leadership, communication, conflict resolution, time management, and technology evaluation skills. You'll also need to be prepared to manage people, balance technical work and management responsibilities, deal with conflicts, stay up-to-date with new technologies, and, at times, work long hours or face tight deadlines.

However, with the right mindset and skills, you can excel as a tech lead and lead your team to success. Remember to prioritize your team's needs, communicate transparently with your team members and stakeholders, and take care of yourself to avoid burnout. Embracing the challenges of your role and continually learning and growing can help you become an effective tech lead who drives innovation and delivers results.