🧭 Stepping Up as Team Lead
In October 2024, following the unexpected resignation of our team lead, I was given the opportunity to step into the leadership role. It was a pivotal moment in my career—filling his shoes was no small task, but it became a defining experience in my growth as a leader.
⚡Challenge
- Sudden leadership gap in a high-performing team
- Maintaining team morale and delivery momentum
- Earning trust and respect while transitioning from peer to lead
👨💼My Role
- Took over as interim lead
- Managed sprint planning, stakeholder communication, and delivery oversight
- Balanced leadership duties with ongoing full stack development work
🛠️ Actions Taken
- Held 1:1s with each team member to understand concerns and goals
- Introduced structured stand-ups and retros to improve transparency
- Advocated for the team's needs with upper management
- Continued contributing technically to maintain credibility and support
📈 Outcomes
- Maintained delivery cadence with no missed sprints during the transition
- Improved team engagement and ownership
- Built strong relationships with stakeholders and leadership
- Earned recognition for stepping up under pressure
🔍 Reflection
This experience taught me that leadership is not about having all the answers—it's about listening, supporting, and showing up consistently. It laid the foundation for how I now lead larger, cross-functional teams with confidence and empathy.