Written by Aubrey Rhodes who builds software engineering teams in Atlanta.
You're going to learn real quick in this job that you can't fix every problem for every person. Especially when the problems your team members are facing feel insurmountable. There's no action item you can put on your agenda to end a global pandemic or to wipe away systemic racism. To be a good leader you also need to learn that you should still be a resource even if you don't have all the answers.
See your team member as a whole person during one on ones. As your relationship and trust with them grows it will be more ok to ask about personal matters.
One of the biggest things you will struggle with as a new manager is that you will no longer have easy feedback to know when you are doing a good job. It is important for you to start to build habits that will let you see your progress every day. Otherwise, it is very easy to burn out as a manager.
You get started on a new project, and go to ask the previous developer who worked on it for some clarification. You find that he’s not helpful at all. He’s not happy with the changes you want to make to the project and won’t give you any direction. All of the messages you get from him are terse and every interaction feels like you’ve just walked into an anthill. You might be working with an asshole.
When you introduce yourself at a party, how do you describe yourself? Are the first words out of your mouth “I’m a software developer”, “I work at company XYZ”, or just “I do computers”? If so, you might have a problem my friend.
The harder things to figure out as a new developer will be how to work with your team and how to manage yourself. Here are five toughest challenges you'll face as a new developer. If you figure out how to deal with these you will be well on your way to leveling up in a great career.
