The tech lead role is one of the most misunderstood and overlooked positions in the tech industry. Developers are promoted for their coding skills, yet success in this role is measured by leadership, not just technical ability. This shift can be disorienting because being a tech lead isn’t just about technology, it’s about people.Drawing from my experience as a tech lead at ThoughtWorks and coaching over 300 tech leads, I’ll explore why this role is uniquely complex. Positioned at the intersection of people, technology, and business, tech leads must develop critical soft skills like delegation, conflict resolution, and team alignment, yet most are thrown into the role without support.In this session, we’ll uncover why most tech problems are actually people problems and how to address them. We’ll discuss the three key mindset shifts tech leads need to succeed and the seven essential soft skills to develop, with practical steps to get started.Shifting from a technical role to leadership is difficult, uncomfortable, and often messy. But it’s also an opportunity for growth, not just as a leader, but as a person. Whether you're aspiring to be a tech lead, new to the role, or an experienced leader refining your approach, this talk will shed light on one of the most misunderstood roles in tech, by focusing on people.This session offers a glimpse into my upcoming O’Reilly book, Leveling Up as a Tech Lead, where I dive deeper into the challenges and strategies for mastering this role.
