A Career as Tech Lead or Engineering Manager with Patrick Kua

Beyond Coding

Engineers can get promoted to leadership positions without knowing what is expected of them. It's less of the same and more of a sidestep.

Pat Kua and I discuss the tech lead and engineering manager roles and what makes a person effective being in that role. On top of that we give perspective for people interested in those positions.

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Pat Kua:
https://www.patkua.com
https://twitter.com/patkua
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patkua

Pat's newsletter:
https://levelup.patkua.com

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/QMS4anI_oJo

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:42 - Different problems in coaching CTOs
00:02:08 - Problems when it comes to team structure
00:03:47 - Coaching aspects
00:06:14 - The tech lead and engineering manager paths are sidesteps
00:08:21 - Mismatch in expectations
00:10:05 - Skills a tech lead requires
00:12:54 - Dealing with people
00:16:44 - Communication challenges
00:18:13 - When is the right time to step into a leadership position?
00:20:51 - Leadership positions are not for everyone
00:23:42 - Learning from others
00:26:21 - Relationship between tech lead and engineering manager
00:31:58 - Pitfall of splitting tech lead and engineering manager
00:34:27 - Conversations about roles and responsibilities
00:36:51 - Leadership teams
00:37:43 - Who is responsible for team effectiveness?
00:40:23 - Pat's favourite role in the past
00:43:47 - Figuring out what you like and dislike doing
00:44:46 - What do you want to do?
00:46:54 - Growth mindset