Six months into my first engineering lead role, I'm still adjusting to the reality that my job is no longer about writing code. Here's what's surprised me most.
The Mindset Shift
As a developer, your success is measured by what you deliver. As a lead, your success is measured by what your team delivers. This sounds obvious, but it took time to internalize.
What I Wish I Knew Earlier
- 1:1s are crucial: Regular check-ins catch problems before they escalate
- Document everything: Decisions and context need to be written down
- Delegate, don't dump: Hand over responsibility, not just tasks
- Protect your team's time: Shield them from unnecessary meetings and noise
The Hardest Part
Letting go of code is hard. I still feel the urge to jump in and fix things myself. But I've learned that my value now is in enabling others, not in being the best coder on the team.
"Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge."
I'm still learning, but the journey has been incredibly rewarding.