Josh Tichauer - Coder to Leader

Black Box Thinking: How Learning from Failures Can Propel Your Success

In the realm of innovation, failure is often the precursor to success. Consider Thomas Edison, who famously endured 1,000 unsuccessful attempts before inventing the lightbulb. Each failure was a stepping stone, leading him closer to illuminating the world. This mindset of learning from failure is at the heart of

Team Management

Agile Software Development Best Practices: How to Optimize Your Team's Workflow

In the fast-paced world of software development, agility has transcended its status as a mere methodology and become the lifeblood of progressive development teams. Drawing from my experience as a software engineer turned leader, coupled with insights from leading thinkers like Robert Greene and Ray Dalio, this article will explore

communication

The Power of Positive Thinking for Software Development Leaders

In the ever-evolving domain of software development, leadership extends beyond managing code and into managing mindsets. As an engineering manager and team leader, I’ve discovered that the potency of positive thinking is not just motivational fluff, but a critical component of effective leadership. This isn’t about seeing the

Engineering Management

The 3 P's of Software Engineering Leadership: People, Process, and Product

As software engineers ascend into the realms of leadership, they encounter a paradigm shift—from solitary code slingers to visionaries who must oversee not just code, but people and processes, and steer the product to success. This evolution requires embracing the 3 P’s of software engineering leadership: People, Process,

mental models

The Locus of Control: Navigating Leadership in Software Engineering

In the fast-paced realm of software development, understanding and mastering your locus of control can significantly enhance your effectiveness as a leader. This psychological principle helps you distinguish between what you can influence directly and what is beyond your reach, a crucial skill for software engineers transitioning into leadership roles.

The Benefits of Continuous Learning for Software Development Leaders

In the dynamic world of software development, the only constant is change. As leaders in this field, embracing a philosophy of continuous learning is not merely beneficial—it is essential for survival and success. Understanding and leveraging the power of ongoing education can transform good leaders into great ones, fostering

collaboration

Mastering Uncertainty in Tech: A Software Leader's Guide to the Cynefin Framework

In the realm of technology, where the only constant is change, the ability to navigate uncertainty is not just an asset; it's a necessity. As a software engineer turned leader, I've witnessed firsthand the transition from dealing with code's binary certainty to the multifaceted uncertainty of leading teams and projects.

Tech Leadership

Mastering Tech Leadership: Key Lessons from Andrew Grove’s 'High Output Management'

In the ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry, where rapid innovation and urgent deadlines are the norms, the principles of management and leadership can often seem like a juggling act. "High Output Management" by Andrew S. Grove, a seminal work revered by industry leaders worldwide, offers profound insights grounded in

active listening

Embracing Servant Leadership: Transforming Your Approach for Effective Team Management

In the realm of software development, the journey from being a code-centric individual contributor (IC) to a leadership position is akin to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. It's a metamorphosis from focusing on personal technical achievements to guiding a team towards collective success. This transition is not just a

mental models

Navigating the Technical Leadership Labyrinth: Strategic Thinking and Execution

In the realm of technical leadership, the journey from coder to leader is akin to navigating a labyrinth, filled with intricate pathways and unexpected turns. To traverse this maze effectively, one must master the art of strategic thinking and execution. This installment of our blog series, "Navigating the Technical Leadership

mental models

Navigating the Technical Leadership Labyrinth: First Principles Thinking

In an era where technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, the role of a technical leader becomes increasingly complex and demanding. The decisions you make can either catapult your organization to new heights or lead it into uncharted and perilous territories. This is where the art of decision-making becomes pivotal.

mental models

Navigating the Technical Leadership Labyrinth: A Journey Through Essential Mental Models

Welcome to the inaugural post of our blog series: "Navigating the Technical Leadership Labyrinth: A Journey Through Essential Mental Models". In this series, we embark on a transformative expedition, delving into the intricate world of mental models that are quintessential for blossoming into an effective technical leader. Leadership, especially in

emotional intelligence

Four Agreements to Software Leadership: Unraveling the Code to Effective Management

Let's face it; leadership is no cakewalk. There's an uncanny parallel between the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly and that of a developer morphing into a leader. It's uncomfortable, but the results are worth it. So let me not beat around the bush and dive into these "Four

team building

The Art of Leading Remote Software Development Teams: Tips for Thriving in the Virtual World

As a former software engineer turned leader of remote development teams, I've spent countless hours learning and iterating on what it takes to lead effectively. Through trial and error, I've discovered key strategies and tactics that have helped me not only manage my team but also inspire them to do

soft skills

10 Essential Skills for Leading a Successful Software Team

If you're an engineer looking to transition into a leadership role, you may be wondering what it takes to be an effective leader. Drawing on my own experience as a successful software team lead, I've compiled a list of the top 10 skills that I believe are essential for success.

growth mindset

Leading Through Change: Strategies for Managing Technological Disruption

Hello, fellow engineers! As a leader with an engineering background who has experienced technological disruption firsthand, I want to share with you some actionable insights, strategies and tactics to help you become an effective leader during times of change. Embrace the DisruptionWhen faced with technological disruption, the first step is

feedback

The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback as a Leader

As a leader with an engineering background, I've created this blog post to share with you my experiences and learnings on the art of giving and receiving feedback. Feedback is the breakfast of champions, but it can be a bitter cheerio to swallow if not delivered or received effectively. Therefore,

accountability

Leading by Example: The Importance of Modeling Behavior and Values for Your Team

As a software developer turned leader, I've learned that leading by example is essential in modeling the behavior and values you want to see in your team. It's easy to talk the talk, but walking the walk is what truly inspires and motivates your team to achieve excellence in a

team building

4 Powerful Insights and Strategies to Building a High-Performance Engineering Team

As a software development leader, I've learned that building a high-performance team is essential to achieving success in the field. In this blog post, I'll be sharing insights, strategies, and tactics that have helped me build and lead high-performing software development teams. Insight 1: Hire for Attitude, Train for SkillWhen

goal setting

OKRs for Agile Development: How to Use the Framework to Boost Productivity and Performance

As a software development team leader, your ultimate goal is to create high-quality products and deliver them to your customers as quickly as possible. But with so many tasks and goals to manage, it can be challenging to stay focused and on track. That's where the Objectives and Key Results

growth mindset

Self-Awareness in Software Leadership: Understanding Yourself to Lead Others

As a seasoned software developer turned leader, I know firsthand the importance of self-awareness in effective leadership. Self-awareness means understanding your emotions, your strengths and weaknesses, values, and using that knowledge to lead yourself and others effectively. Here are some actionable insights, strategies, tactics, and processes to help you level-up

mental models

From Chaos to Clarity: How the OODA Loop Can Help You Tackle Any Problem

As a software development leader, I've found the OODA loop to be an incredibly useful tool for making quick and effective decisions in a fast-paced and constantly evolving industry. The OODA loop is a four-step decision-making process developed by US Air Force Colonel John Boyd, and it stands for Observe,

mental models

Cracking the Code: How the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Can Help You Become a Better Software Leader

Leadership is all about understanding the people you lead, and this is especially true in software development, where teams are often remote and made up of diverse personalities, and skill sets. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one tool that can help you gain a deeper understanding of your team

accountability

The Importance of Accountability for Software Development Leaders

As a software developer turned leader, I've come to realize that accountability is one of the most critical aspects of effective leadership. In this blog post, I'll be sharing insights, strategies, and tactics that have helped me become a more accountable leader, and that can help you level up your

growth mindset

Developing a growth mindset: Strategies for personal and professional development

As a software developer who has become an effective leader, I know firsthand the importance of developing a growth mindset. In the rapidly changing world of technology, it's critical to continually learn and adapt in order to stay ahead. In this blog post, I'll share some actionable insights, strategies, and