From Doing the Job to Owning It

My Leap to Senior Tech Lead

I love listening to Audible and podcasts if they are valuable. One morning, while commuting to Calcey, I listened to a podcast by

Ethan Evans

, a former VP at Amazon. Something he said hit me hard: "If you want to move up, show you're willing to do what others won't—and prove you can do it."

I had been a Tech Lead at Calcey for about a year. My role was going well, but I realised that simply doing my assigned work wasn't enough to push me further. After gathering my thoughts for a few more days, listing what I had done, and getting ready for the next step, I approached my L1 manager with a summary of my achievements and willingness to do more, requesting, "Give me the hard stuff."

TL;DR

If you would love to hear the whole story, please read on. If you're after the key highlights, here are the highlights.

1. Doing only what's assigned won't propel you forward; actively seek more complex projects.

2. Become a tech generalist and push boundaries to be irreplaceable.

3. Clear communication and empathy are essential for guiding teams and building trust.

4. Develop a leadership style you'd personally respect and follow.

5. Strategize, plan long-term and unite your team around shared goals.

What Happened Then

Dhanushka, our CTO at Calcey, agreed to pick me when there was an opportunity, and soon after, I was assigned a massive project in a domain I'd never worked with. Not only did I have to learn the ins and outs of this new territory, but I also had to guide multiple teams; frontend, backend, and UI, ensuring that every piece fit the bigger picture. It wasn't just about coding anymore but about orchestrating a pool of talents to deliver real value.

I'd separate this into two sections for better understanding, highlighting the driving forces and significant qualities.

From Specialist to Tech Swiss Army Knife

I have always been comfortable with Web and mobile technologies and DevOps, but now I am working in Infrastructure Management, Security, and database optimisation with Postgres. The lesson? When you broaden your tech horizons, you become hard to replace.

Quick Tip: Look for tasks that require you to leave your comfort zone, such as identifying a minor feature in an unfamiliar part of the stack.

Here is a lovely quote that Jocko has mentioned in one of the insightful books I've read.

"There is no growth in the comfort zone." ~ Jocko Willink, The Dichotomy of Leadership: Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win

Being tech-optimistic is valuable, and you must have that, but for a Senior Tech lead Role, I learnt that more than this, the next section mattered the most.

Mastering Soft Skills for Real Impact

Speak So Everyone Gets It

We've all been in meetings where jargon is flying around. The goal is to ensure that every team member understands you, from product managers to junior developers. During one-on-one sessions, showing your stance and encouraging a transparent dialogue builds trust and helps address individual challenges directly.

In technical discussions, starting with the objective of the discussion and ending with the summary while communicating with precise language minimises misunderstandings and streamlines problem-solving. In addition, Retrospectives benefit from more straightforward communication, which allows teams to evaluate good and bad past performance and implement meaningful improvements strategically.

Moreover, well-documented information, like the insights shared in my "Crafting Documentation That Actually Helps" post, reduces confusion and prevents future misinterpretations.

Become the Leader You'd Follow

Identify the leadership traits you admire, such as trust, honesty, and the ability to empower team members. I always lead by example, which aligns with the leadership I value and wish to embody. To improve yourself? Seek every opportunity to polish these qualities.

But remember, it's not just about being a great leader. As a human being, aim to be the kind of colleague you'd be happy to work with and even be friends with. Continually cultivate genuine relationships, offer support, and offer kindness. Be the person you'd love to have by your side professionally and personally.

Zoom Out and Solve

Don't just fix bugs; learn the entire system's architecture. That way, you'll see patterns and create lasting solutions.

Lift Others Up

Leadership isn't only about your growth. But it's about genuinely listening to others and championing their growth, too. It's about recognising great ideas, selecting those that align with the product's/project's objectives, and celebrating your team's achievements, among the most of the other qualities.

Even if your interactions are limited, remain humble. Guide your team when you notice mistakes, and be open to learning from them. In the "Enhancing Collaboration through Effective Pull Requests" post, I explained how even minimal engagement—such as through pull requests—can build a culture where team members appreciate one another, provide detailed explanations when needed, and agree on the best solution without considering who suggested it.

Remember, leadership is a two-way street built on mutual respect, shared learning, and the encouragement of every voice in the room.

See the Bigger Picture

When I entered that new domain, I discovered that my role extended far beyond coding and managing a single team. It was about uniting the team's efforts around our ultimate objectives and ensuring that each sprint built effectively upon the previous one, steadily advancing our shared vision. I took on strategic planning responsibilities. Determining what to prioritise and choosing features that not only met client requirements but also aligned with our long-term product vision. I engaged in refining the product roadmap and continuously evaluating market trends and client feedback to adjust our priorities. This involved coordinating with stakeholders, balancing short-term wins with long-term goals, and making data-driven decisions to steer our development efforts.

Levelling Up Is an Ongoing Journey

After committing to daily self-improvement and genuinely loving what I do each day, I received recognition from my company, even during an IT industry downturn (Only the essential promotions happened due to that). Looking back, it's clear that pushing myself beyond my job's "normal" scope was the catalyst. By taking on challenges, improving and widening my technical range, and cultivating a people-first leadership style, I showed both my organisation and myself that I was ready for bigger responsibilities.

If you're a junior or mid-level engineer reading this, the path is open to you, too. Step out of your comfort zone, focus on refining your soft skills, and don't be afraid to lead.

Remember: levelling up doesn't happen overnight, but every step outside your usual boundaries brings you closer to the next stage in your career, and the best time to start is always, NOW!