The Biggest Mistake I Made as a First-Time Tech Lead

In 2008, I was handed the keys to the software I’d be working on my entire professional career, and I decided to rewrite it from scratch.

Not only was I the new tech lead, but I was also the team’s new manager. There was nothing standing in my way anymore. I would now be able to make all of the changes that I’d dreamed about making for years.

Unfortunately, I didn’t know what I didn’t know: none of the things I wanted to change were actually the problem.

The moment you are handed decision-making power for the first time is the moment you must realize you have a new job.

If you don’t immediately start behaving as if this is true, you’ll likely make the same mistakes I did (or worse).

Tech leads and managers have a long list of responsibilities that you have never held. If you pick up either (or both) of these roles, learn what they require, and apply what you learn, you’ll stand a chance. If you don’t, I can’t guarantee you’ll fail, but you’ll have made it much more likely.

Thankfully I’ve been down in the hole you’ve fallen into. And I know the way out.

#1. Spend time engaging with your customers.

Presumably, they’re not happy with the software. You don’t really know why.

Set up time with each of your key customers. Ask them what’s going well and what isn’t. Ask them what’s the one thing your team could do to improve the situation.

#2. Spend time engaging with your boss.

Presumably, they put you in charge for a reason. You don’t really know why.

Set up time with your boss. Ask them why they lost faith in the previous leader. Ask them why they’ve placed their faith in you. Ask them to tell you what they believe success looks like.

#3. Spend time engaging with your team.

Presumably, they’re very nervous about the change that just happened. You don’t really know why.

Set up time with each member of your team. Ask them if they have any questions or concerns. Ask them about their key challenges. Ask them what would make working on this team awesome.

I honestly believe that if I’d taken these three actions, I would have learned where the problems really were, and I would have addressed them. And then we would have fixed our existing system.