Back in college, I thought that technical excellence was everything. But after a decade in the tech industry, I’ve learned that leadership requires a completely different mindset. One day you’re sitting there writing code and shipping features, and suddenly you’re making project plans, helping your teammates, and thinking about the bigger picture. 

Moving from being an IC to a tech lead can feel like a big and uncomfortable jump. Let me share what I’ve learned about growing beyond just coding through some real examples from my journey.