Understanding Technical Leadership
Great technologists often rise through the ranks, assuming responsibilities that go beyond just delivering technical work. This talk reflects on my journey from an engineer to leading teams. I’ll talk about what I’ve learned, how I learned it, and share my evolving thoughts on technical leadership. I share my perspective on topics like business awareness, servant leadership, failing fast, taking calculated risks, data-driven decision making, promoting pragmatism, and sharing a vision. I discuss my opinions on pragmatism and the balance between technical innovation and practical problem solving in daily work. And, lastly, I share pro tips for leaders I’ve learned from experience, including empathy, listening, limiting ego, and teaching. Attendees can expect to hear my findings on empowering technical teams that strive better meet the needs of people they serve.