# Tech Lead A technical leadership role responsible for guiding a software project's technical direction and development work. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## A switchback career move from engineering management to software engineering DevFeed: [A switchback career move from engineering management to software engineering]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anton Zaides Published: 2026-09-08T06:01:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Manager.dev]() Topics: [Job](), [AI-assisted coding](), [Software](), [Tech Lead]() Tags: [agents](), [career](), [data](), [engineering-manager](), [experiment](), [software-engineer]() ### AI overview The author describes moving from engineering management back to software engineering after struggling to secure another Engineering Manager role. The article also discusses an experiment in which an engineering team worked more deliberately with coding agents and a tech lead. ### Source excerpt The perfect time for a switchback career move ## Why Engineering Player-Coach Roles Are Becoming More Demanding DevFeed: [Why Engineering Player-Coach Roles Are Becoming More Demanding]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Gregor Ojstersek Published: 2026-08-31T13:41:33Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Engineering Leadership]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [Artificial Intelligence]() Tags: [engineering-manager](), [team-lead](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview An opinion article argues that engineering leaders are increasingly expected to combine leadership responsibilities with hands-on technical work. It defines player-coaches as people who set direction, support teams, and also perform senior-engineering work such as coding, specification work, incident resolution, and prototyping. ### Source excerpt Engineering Manager, Team Lead, Tech Lead, and Architect roles are becoming harder than ever, but the problematic part is that many people don't understand that and don't give the deserved credit. ## Middle management roles are also a trap. DevFeed: [Middle management roles are also a trap.]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Published: 2026-08-08T14:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Will Larson - Irrational Exuberance]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [engineering-culture](), [Software Engineering]() Tags: [engineering-management](), [organizational-culture](), [software-engineering](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview The article argues that middle-management roles can be a poor path to becoming an executive. Although these roles develop skills such as stakeholder balancing, process design, and resource allocation, the author says line-management roles provide better opportunities to develop domain expertise, execution, and organizational culture. ### Source excerpt Six years ago, I wrote Tech Lead Management roles are a trap. My argument then was that TLM roles present themselves as easier than moving into a full management role, but the tension between doing the software engineering and engineering management aspects of the role made being a TLM a much harder first management role than a pure engineering management role. I still agree with that post, and I have some additional bad news to share: middle management roles are mostly a trap as well, if you goal is to become an executive. The core aspects of middle management roles are: Balancing between top-down executive, lateral stakeholder, and bottom-up team pressure, e.g. keeping morale up as an organization deprioritizes last year's big initiative Defining and operating an organization's process, e.g. creating career ladders and interview loops Competing for a share of fixed organizational resources (e.g. budget) and allocating acquired resources These are all extremely important skills to be an effective executive, and they make up the bulk of The Engineering Executive's Primer, but they are insufficient to make you a great executive. If you don't have them, you will be a deeply flawed executive, but even if you're an expert at them, you can still be a terrible executive. That's because the most important skills of an effective executive are the same exact skills that make an excellent line manager: developing domain expertise, driving execution (including setting pace), and translating both of those into an organizational culture that extends beyond you (in any of innumerable different ways). All of them are more easily practiced and mastered as a line manager than as a middle manager. Most middle management roles make practicing those skills difficult, and sometimes negatively select against developing them. As a middle manager, if you drive execution too closely, you might get told off as a micromanager. As a middle manager, if you go too deep on domain expertise, you m ## Engineering management is a career change, not a promotion DevFeed: [Engineering management is a career change, not a promotion]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dr Milan Milanović Published: 2026-07-30T15:00:17Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Tech World With Milan Newsletter]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [systems](), [debug]() Tags: [career](), [coaching](), [debugging](), [engineering-management](), [management](), [manager](), [metric](), [outage](), [promotion](), [support]() ### AI overview An interview with Ryan Murphy examines engineering management as a career path, including promotion criteria, management training, feedback, stakeholder communication, and the shift from optimizing code to owning outcomes. ### Source excerpt Ryan Murphy on what actually gets engineers promoted, why delayed feedback is cruelty, and the manager who told him on day one that he was a resource ## Why Technical Program Managers Matter as AI Reshapes Engineering Teams DevFeed: [Why Technical Program Managers Matter as AI Reshapes Engineering Teams]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-06-29T10:27:25Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [structure](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [Tech Lead](), [Software]() Tags: [ai](), [article](), [engineering-management](), [game-development](), [software](), [teams](), [tech-lead](), [technical-leadership](), [technical-program-manager]() ### AI overview The article argues that as AI reshapes engineering organizations and teams become smaller, Technical Program Managers can coordinate dependencies, cross-functional delivery risks, and roadmap-to-capacity alignment across multiple teams. ### Source excerpt As AI shrinks engineering teams and the EM role splits in two, the Technical Program Manager could be the most overlooked answer hiding in plain sight. ## Tech Lead vs Engineering Manager. Which Path Is Right for You? DevFeed: [Tech Lead vs Engineering Manager. Which Path Is Right for You?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Ryan Murphy Published: 2026-04-07T15:33:44Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Software Engineering Times]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [engineering-leadership](), [Job]() Tags: [career](), [engineering-leadership](), [leadership](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview This article compares the Tech Lead and Engineering Manager career paths, explaining that they are separate routes rather than steps on a single ladder. It also notes that both paths generally involve becoming less hands-on over time and that engineers can change direction later. ### Source excerpt Most engineers assume it's a one way ladder. It isn't. ## Two Pillars of (Engineering) Management DevFeed: [Two Pillars of (Engineering) Management]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Zac Sweers Published: 2026-03-03T16:02:22Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Zac Sweers]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [SDK]() Tags: [engineering-management](), [management](), [mentorship](), [teams](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview The article presents engineering management as balancing two pillars: technical familiarity with the team's problem space and the ability to grow people. It uses this framework to compare different engineering manager profiles, including infrastructure, product-team, and tech-lead-oriented managers. ### Source excerpt A former colleague once described their view of management as a role measured by two* pillars. As an IC, I really like this framing of it and it's helped me a ton of times in knowing how to best work with different types of EMs over the years. ## LeadDev StaffPlus 2025: My Top Takeaways DevFeed: [LeadDev StaffPlus 2025: My Top Takeaways]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Doximity Published: 2025-12-02T13:27:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Doximity]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [Programming]() Tags: [conference](), [leadership](), [management](), [software-engineer](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview A Staff Software Engineer at Doximity reflects on takeaways from LeadDev StaffPlus NY, focusing on egoless leadership, delegating programming work, and elevating colleagues to increase engineering impact. ### Source excerpt As a newly minted Staff Software Engineer at Doximity, I've been looking for ways to maximize my impact on the teams I support. My mandate as a Staff Software Engineer is to solve the kinds of problems that affect every team in my umbrella, not just the one team where I do my own IC work. That's a big change from my previous role as tech lead of a small team. I've enjoyed following LeadDev's content, from blog posts and videos to webinars, so attending a LeadDev conference has been on my bucket list for a while. I got my chance when I learned they were hosting their conference in New York City for StaffPlus engineers (engineering leaders who are in roles anywhere from Staff to Distinguished Engineer). I came away from the conference with a lot of ideas on how to improve my impact as an engineering leader and a plan to get more traction on a difficult project I've been leading. Here are some of the highlights from my experience at StaffPlus NY. Lead Without Ego Image: Katie Sylor-Miller during her talk "Mind the gap: Navigating the Staff+ Performance Cliff" Katie Sylor-Miller's talk "Mind the gap: Navigating the Staff+ Performance Cliff" was fantastic. She emphasized the need for egoless leadership and touched on the benefits you reap when you lead with humility. In particular, as StaffPlus engineers, we're not meant to be writing and shipping all the code all the time. We're meant to give those opportunities to other engineers on our teams and build them up. This wasn't new advice to me, but it's worth hearing again and again as I develop in my technical leadership position. It was particularly useful as it connected with a technical project I've been working on that has grown in scope. I've been feeling an increasing burden that I can't do all the coding and project management this project requires with the resources I have, on top of my other responsibilities. I realized during Katie's talk that I can move my project forward by delegating more of the programming t ## Four Years Strong: Celebrating Our Koganniversaries DevFeed: [Four Years Strong: Celebrating Our Koganniversaries]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Kogan Dev Blog Published: 2025-10-07T03:28:12Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Kogan.com]() Topics: [engineering-culture](), [Software Engineering](), [Tech Lead](), [Development]() Tags: [culture](), [leadership](), [learning-growth](), [software-engineer](), [software-engineering](), [team](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview Kogan.com highlights three team members reaching four-year milestones and discusses their career growth, engineering experiences, leadership development, and reasons for staying with the company. The article also describes Sam O'Halloran's work improving product-variant handling across pipelines, batch jobs, OpenSearch, and the UI. ### Source excerpt In a talent landscape full of competitive opportunities, where change and turnover are part of the norm, Kogan.com stands out as a place where people choose to stay, grow, and advance their careers. Many of our team members have long tenures, with some contributing as long as 12 or 15 years, reflecting the strong culture and opportunities here. This month, we celebrated three team members reaching their four-year milestone. To mark the occasion, we spoke with them about what has made their journey so rewarding, what has kept them at Kogan.com, and what continues to inspire and excite them as part of our team. Adam Slomoi Adam is currently the Tech Lead of a squad. He joined Kogan as a Software Engineer and quickly progressed to Senior Software Engineer, and most recently to Tech Lead. In this role, he continues to sharpen his technical skills while growing his passion for people leadership. How has your role or perspective on engineering evolved over the last four years?I've been fortunate to work across different areas of the business and on various components of our system during my time at Kogan. One theme that has remained consistent throughout, and that I've gained a greater appreciation for, is the focus on business outcomes. How did you feel stepping into your first leadership role, and what did you learn from the experience? I felt well prepared before officially taking on a leadership role. We have a very collaborative team, and there have been many opportunities along the way to have a say and help set the direction for the team. Sam O'Halloran Sam started at Kogan in his first formal software engineering role straight out of university. He has honed his technical skills, contributed significantly to his team, and grown in both technical depth and breadth, applying best practices efficiently. Which project are you most proud of, and what made it exciting or unique? I'm most proud of the work on product variants. It wasn't one big launch, just lots of small ## Escaping the Build Trap DevFeed: [Escaping the Build Trap]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Tom Published: 2025-09-20T00:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Tomasz Gągor]() Topics: [Product Management](), [Tech Lead]() Tags: [book](), [business](), [collaboration](), [effective](), [examples](), [experimentation](), [leadership](), [management](), [metrics](), [pitfalls](), [product-management](), [team](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview A review of Melissa Perri's book Escaping the Build Trap, focusing on its explanation of Product Management, experimentation, metrics, organizational perspective, and creating real value. ### Source excerpt Escaping the Build Trap How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value Author: Melissa Perri This was the first book on Product Management I've ever read, and I'm glad I started with such a solid one. In my daily work, I collaborate closely with product owners, and I wanted to better understand their role: How do they work? What are their priorities? And how can our collaboration be more effective? What I appreciated most about this book is how clearly it structures the profession of Product Management and breaks down its many facets. ## How 1-1s make your life easier as a Tech Lead DevFeed: [How 1-1s make your life easier as a Tech Lead]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2025-09-17T11:58:54Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [ide]() Tags: [coaching](), [communication](), [delegation](), [mentoring](), [team](), [tech-lead](), [time](), [trust]() ### AI overview This opinion article explains how regular one-on-one meetings can help Tech Leads identify blockers, improve communication, delegate work, build trust, and mentor team members. It argues that investing in these conversations can reduce misalignment and make the leader's work easier over time. ### Source excerpt Save yourself from surprises, misalignments, and unnecessary drama. ## What to Do When You Are Performing a Tech Lead Role Without the Title DevFeed: [What to Do When You Are Performing a Tech Lead Role Without the Title]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2025-07-08T06:01:32Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead]() Tags: [management](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview The article responds to a subscriber who has been informally performing tech lead responsibilities but was told she was not good enough for the official role. It recommends pursuing the role with a new manager, presenting evidence of existing leadership, agreeing on a concrete growth plan, and requesting specific feedback about technical expectations. ### Source excerpt What to do when you're doing the role, but not getting the credit ## How AI Coding Agents Are Changing Software Engineering Roles DevFeed: [How AI Coding Agents Are Changing Software Engineering Roles]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Vaibhav Puranik Published: 2025-06-17T05:08:18Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [GumGum]() Topics: [AI-assisted coding](), [AI Agent](), [GitHub Copilot](), [ai-coding](), [pull-requests](), [Tech Lead](), [Testing]() Tags: [ai](), [ai-agent](), [ai-coding-agent](), [ai-coding-agents](), [github-copilot](), [pull-request](), [quality](), [review](), [software-development](), [software-engineer](), [software-engineering]() ### AI overview The article argues that AI coding agents are becoming regular members of software teams, shifting developers' work toward task delegation, code review, feedback, and architectural decisions. It also discusses changing hiring expectations and AI-assisted test generation. ### Source excerpt Your New Coding Teammate is an AI Agent -- Are You Ready? AI coding agents like GitHub Copilot and OpenAI's Codex aren't just novelties anymore -- they're rapidly becoming your daily teammates. Surveys show that 97% of developers have tried AI coding tools at work , and GitHub Copilot now helps millions write code faster, with studies showing developers complete tasks up to 55% faster with it . This isn't the future -- it's now. And it's changing what it means to be a software engineer. Think Like a Team Lead, Not Just a Coder AI tools aren't magic wands -- they're more like junior engineers who need guidance. That means every developer, including juniors, needs to start thinking like a tech lead. Just like a lead assigns tasks and reviews code from teammates, you'll now delegate work to AI agents and manage their output. GitHub's Copilot Agents can even spin up a dev environment and create a pull request for you . So instead of grinding through repetitive code, your job is shifting to: Breaking down problems into clear instructions for AI Reviewing AI-generated code for quality Making key architectural decisions AI can't handle You're not just coding -- you're leading a small army of fast, tireless interns. Your value? Knowing how to steer them well. AI = Your New Junior Developer Treat your AI tools like you would a junior teammate: Give them clear instructions Review their code carefully Provide feedback to improve the output For example, Copilot can generate tests or refactor code, but it needs your input to do it right. It often improves drastically when you give specific guidance, just like mentoring a junior dev . Tools like Copilot Chat even let you leave comments on its pull requests, and the agent will revise code in response . This isn't sci-fi -- it's daily life on modern engineering teams. Hiring is Changing -- Are You Ready? Tech hiring is also evolving. Companies aren't just testing if you can write code -- they want to know if you can review AI-written code, ## A Structured Process for Tech Leads to Develop Soft Skills DevFeed: [A Structured Process for Tech Leads to Develop Soft Skills]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2025-05-28T06:01:51Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [.NET Conf]() Tags: [article](), [coaching](), [how-to](), [leadership](), [management](), [skills](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview This tutorial presents a structured, intentional, and measurable process for tech leads to develop soft skills. It recommends starting with one leadership challenge, defining a small measurable win, and clarifying the motivation behind the goal. ### Source excerpt In this article, I'll walk you through the exact process I've used with hundreds of engineers to build their soft skills. ## From Tech Master to Tech Lead: 3 mindset shifts you need DevFeed: [From Tech Master to Tech Lead: 3 mindset shifts you need]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2025-02-13T07:01:26Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead]() Tags: [coding](), [leadership](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview This article explains how technical experts can transition into tech leadership by shifting their focus from solving technical problems themselves to empowering and developing their teams. It introduces three mindset shifts, beginning with moving from an individual-contributor mindset to a team focus. ### Source excerpt Become the tech lead your team needs by shifting how you think and work. ## Avoiding the "therapist" trap: Stop solving everyone's problems as a Tech Lead DevFeed: [Avoiding the "therapist" trap: Stop solving everyone's problems as a Tech Lead]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2025-01-28T08:00:47Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [Development]() Tags: [article](), [leadership](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview This article explains why Tech Leads should not take responsibility for solving every team member's problems. It describes how over-involvement can cause overwhelm, burnout, damaged working relationships and reduced team independence, and argues for setting healthy boundaries and directing people to better-suited support. ### Source excerpt Why fixing everything isn't your job as a Tech Lead - and how to stop ## Building and leading a brand-new team DevFeed: [Building and leading a brand-new team]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2025-01-16T15:51:36Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [Concurrent Programming]() Tags: [building](), [culture](), [hiring](), [team](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview This article examines the path to becoming a Tech Lead by building and leading a brand-new team. It describes the challenges of starting without an established team structure, including discovery, defining team culture and processes, helping members settle in, and hiring. It also explains the opportunity to shape the team's culture and technical direction from the beginning. ### Source excerpt Explore one of the pathways to becoming a Tech Lead: building and leading a brand-new team, with its unique challenges and opportunities. ## 3 main soft skills a Tech Lead needs to develop DevFeed: [3 main soft skills a Tech Lead needs to develop]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2024-12-18T15:01:56Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [engineering-leadership](), [Learning]() Tags: [article](), [developer](), [leadership](), [skills](), [tech-lead](), [tech-leadership]() ### AI overview This article argues that Tech Leads need soft skills in addition to technical expertise, focusing on active listening and examples involving conflict resolution, ownership, team growth, and tech debt. ### Source excerpt Become a great Tech Lead by focusing on these 3 main soft skills! ## Why your team needs you to have soft skills as a Tech Lead DevFeed: [Why your team needs you to have soft skills as a Tech Lead]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2024-12-12T07:01:22Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead]() Tags: [growth](), [skills](), [team](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview The article argues that a Tech Lead needs soft skills in addition to technical expertise, including providing clear direction, supporting team growth, and becoming a leader the team can follow. ### Source excerpt What your team really needs from you as a Tech Lead isn't just technical expertise. They're looking for clear direction, opportunities for growth, and a leader they can follow. ## Why you need soft skills as a Tech Lead DevFeed: [Why you need soft skills as a Tech Lead]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2024-11-27T07:01:53Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [Tech Debt](), [Parser]() Tags: [coaching](), [collaboration](), [delegation](), [leadership](), [mentoring](), [tech-debt](), [tech-lead](), [technical]() ### AI overview This opinion article argues that tech leads need soft skills in addition to technical expertise because many recurring technical problems are rooted in interpersonal issues. It discusses listening, relationship building, feedback, delegation, facilitation, conflict resolution, and mentoring or coaching. ### Source excerpt Most tech leads think they only need strong technical skills in order to be effective as tech leads. ## Taking over the Tech Lead role in another team DevFeed: [Taking over the Tech Lead role in another team]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2024-11-19T07:00:55Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead]() Tags: [onboarding](), [team](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview The article examines taking over a Tech Lead role in another team, especially when the previous lead is leaving. It recommends starting the transition early when possible, prioritizing relationship-building when there is no overlap, and recognizing both the onboarding challenges and the opportunity to establish a leadership approach from the beginning. ### Source excerpt Diving into one of the most common pathways to the Tech Lead role. ## What exactly is a Tech Lead? DevFeed: [What exactly is a Tech Lead?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2024-11-12T07:01:12Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [Development](), [coding](), [Software]() Tags: [business](), [coding](), [development](), [people](), [software](), [team](), [tech-lead]() ### AI overview The article examines different types of Tech Leads and argues that the role sits at the intersection of people, technology, and business. It describes technical, non-coding, and constantly adapting approaches, favoring a Tech Lead who shifts focus according to the team's needs while still coding alongside the team. ### Source excerpt Exploring types of Tech Leads and what they have in common. ## How to use your development budget in 2024 as a Tech Lead DevFeed: [How to use your development budget in 2024 as a Tech Lead]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2024-11-07T13:44:45Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead](), [Development](), [Documentation]() Tags: [career](), [conferences-events](), [cost](), [courses](), [development](), [how-to](), [skills](), [tech-lead](), [training]() ### AI overview A practical guide for Tech Leads on using a development budget. It explains how to request funding, present the training's value and cost, address its impact on work, follow up with a manager, and consider spending the budget on books, conferences, courses, or coaching. ### Source excerpt Don't leave money on the table! 19 ideas for spending your development budget: ## O'Reilly course: Soft Skills for Tech Leads DevFeed: [O'Reilly course: Soft Skills for Tech Leads]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Anemari Fiser Published: 2024-10-29T07:01:41Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Level up as a Tech Lead]() Topics: [Tech Lead]() Tags: [course](), [skills](), [tech-lead](), [training]() ### AI overview An announcement for the O'Reilly course "Soft Skills for Tech Leads," which teaches seven essential soft skills for leading teams, managing conflicts, aligning stakeholders, and helping individuals grow. ### Source excerpt Gain the skills that will make you successful as a Tech Lead. [Next page]()