For my fellow/upcoming Leaders: Learnings from my Two-Decade Journey in Tech Industry

In a career spanning close to two decades, I've had the privilege of navigating the dynamic landscape of technology, from enterprise applications development with traditional databases to Data Warehouses and Large scale Data platforms/solutions. This journey has not only equipped me with technical capability across diverse domains but has also shaped my perspective on leadership and productivity. From engaging with startups to managing teams working for large enterprises, I've encountered a spectrum of challenges and triumphs, each contributing to my evolution as an individual and a leader.

A Journey Through Varied Landscapes

My journey in the tech world has been a good learning experience. Having delved into traditional/columnar databases, large-scale SQL/NoSQL databases, and both on-premises/cloud data platforms, I've witnessed the evolution of technology firsthand. The diversity of my experiences extends beyond technology stacks to the clients I've served — from startups struggling to find their footing to enterprises worth millions of dollars. The contrast in stakeholders, ranging from polite collaborators to overenthusiastic skeptics, has helped me enrich my thinking as an adaptive individual/leader.

From Solo Developer to Leading a large team

One of the defining aspects of my journey has been the transition from an individual developer to steering a team of 120+. Managing diverse teams has taught me that, while technology is the backbone of our work, it is the people who craft solutions and the leaders who guide them that truly define success. The difference between motivated, clear-headed teams and disengaged ones producing suboptimal solutions has reinforced my belief in the pivotal role of leadership in shaping the growth of a team/business.

Decoding my experience: Lessons learned and Questions posed

Over the past few years, I've gleaned insights from both successes and failures. It all boils down to clarity on few aspects that everyone encounters during the journey. While there are many learnings, I believe it's crucial to address a few key questions to foster a thriving team:

1. The Right Attitude: Beyond BuzzwordsEvery organisation seeks individuals with the right attitude, but what does that truly mean in practice? Where do things go wrong? What are the practical aspects of cultivating the right attitude and how does it impact on team dynamics?
2. Vision for the Future: Where Do You See Yourself?For one to grow and be satisfied in this fast paced technological ecosystem, envisioning one's personal and professional growth is critical. How to set long-term goals and navigating the ever-changing tech landscape to calibrate the progress and change the strategies to achieve those goals?
3. Generalist or Specialist: Knowing/Defining Your RoleMany a times professionals come across this classic intriguing question of whether to be a jack of all trades or a master of one/two. What are the implications of not having clarity if a choice is not made?
4. Moving the Needle: A Metric for Progress/ImpactIn an industry where performance is measured by the value delivered, it's essential to assess whether one is truly making a difference. What does it mean to say "moving the needle" and how does it matter in delivering quality solutions that exceed expectations?
5. Leadership Assessment: Am I a Good Leader?Self-reflection is a cornerstone of effective leadership. What are some of the key characteristics of a good leader, both in self-assessment and in guiding others to success?

What Next?

While there are multiple other aspects, I feel that getting started with these aspects will help move in the right direction and make better progress.

I hope to share my learnings and guide the next generation of tech leaders on the above aspects in the next 3 articles that I plan to post over the next 3 weeks. I hope the learnings will be of help at least a few.

Stay Tuned!!