How to know that you’re ready for Tech Leadership

Many software engineers want to become tech leads, team leads, architects, or even CTOs.
But they’re unsure if they’re actually ready.

So they keep their heads down, take on more complex work, and hope someone eventually notices.

The thing is, most of them never get that tap on the shoulder.

They stay stuck—wondering if they’re missing something, or if they just need to further improve their coding skills first.

But here’s the reality:
You might already be doing leadership work—without realizing it.

And recognizing that is the first step to growing into the role you want.

👇 In this issue, I’ll walk you through:

• Why the “code more” approach doesn’t work

• The real signs that show you’re ready for leadership

• A simple script to start the conversation with your manager

How most people try to solve this?

They assume they need to:

1. Take on more coding challenges

2. Become experts in every tech topic

3. Wait for their manager to offer a promotion

They hope to become “so good they can’t be ignored”—by focusing only on tech skills.

Why this won’t work

As a developer, your value is in your own output.
But as a leader, your value is the output of your team.

To lead a team well, you need to:

• Earn trust by being helpful

• Create clarity by making expectations straightforward

• Make collaboration easier—because aligned teams are far more effective

None of that shows up in your GitHub history.

And if you wait for someone to hand you a leadership role, you might wait forever.
Meanwhile, someone who communicates better—even with less experience—may move ahead.

A better way

Look for the signs that you’re already doing leadership work—even without the title.

Ask yourself:

• Do you explain complex topics clearly—even to non-tech people?

• Do you spot blockers early and work to prevent or remove them?

• Do you focus on the team’s success, not just your own?

• Do people come to you for help or advice?

• Do you step in when others are stuck?

If you answered “yes” to even a few of these:

You’re already acting like a leader.
Now it’s time to do it with intention.

The next step

At your next 1-on-1 (or ask for one if you don’t have regular meetings), say this:

“I’d like to grow into a [POSITION]. I want to be responsible for [OUTCOME], [OUTCOME], and [OUTCOME]. Could you help me figure out how to get there?”

Don’t make it about the title or the raise.

Focus on the responsibilities and the impact you aim to have.

Then ask for support—mentorship, stretch opportunities, or an introduction to someone who’s been on this path before.

You’ll move forward ten times faster with guidance than trying to figure it all out alone.

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If you want to step into leadership, start showing it now—and let your manager know you’re serious about it.

Leadership isn’t a title. It’s a set of skills and behaviours you can start adopting today.

Thanks for reading and see you in the next one!
—Gábor