2026-01-07
The 5 Pillars of Modern Engineering Leadership
Moving from individual contributor to a leadership role requires a fundamental shift in mindset. Here are the five key areas to focus on.
1. Empowerment over Control
Your job is no longer to write the best code, but to enable your team to do so. This means trusting their technical decisions and providing the context they need to succeed.
2. Strategic Thinking
Understand the 'why' behind the 'what'. Align your team's technical roadmap with the company's business goals.
3. Psychological Safety
A high-performing team is one where people feel safe to take risks and admit mistakes without fear of retribution.
4. Continuous Feedback
Don't wait for annual reviews. Implement a culture of radical candor and transparent communication.
5. Technical Excellence
While you may code less, you must still maintain the highest standards for quality, testing, and architecture.