How to Leverage 3 Engineer Archetypes for Team Success as a Tech Lead

As a Tech Lead, it is crucial to apply the right strategies for success. However, this is only one part of the story when you want to reach true achievements.

I've had the privilege of working with diverse engineering talents in my career. Three distinct types have consistently stood out, each bringing unique strengths to the team. Understanding these archetypes can help you, whether you're a current Tech Lead or aspiring to be one, to build and manage high-performing teams effectively.

Let's dive into how to leverage those three engineer archetypes for team success.

The Coding Monster

These are the technical virtuosos of your team. I have seen a few of the in my career. They can tackle complex problems with ease and produce solutions at an astonishing pace.

Strengths:

• Exceptional coding skills
• Quick problem-solving abilities
• Creative technical ideas

Challenges:

• May struggle with team discussions in which multiple opinions need to be evaluated and a decision reached
• Might not excel in fostering team cohesion

Tech Lead Tips:

1. Provide clear, well-scoped tasks
2. Minimize ambiguity in business requirements
3. Utilize them for urgent, complex coding challenges
4. Don't expect too much in team discussions or non-coding tasks

The Workaround Finder

These engineers have a knack for finding creative solutions when others see dead ends. They think outside the box and challenge the status quo. Those type of engineers are a great addition to any team when combined with more structure-oriented people.

Strengths:

• Innovative problem-solving
• Ability to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles like structural or architectural limitations
• Quick to propose solutions

Challenges:

• Solutions might prioritize short-term fixes over long-term maintainability
• May overlook architectural considerations

Tech Lead Tips:

1. Encourage their creative thinking in brainstorming sessions
2. Balance their ideas with architectural and maintainability considerations
3. Use their skills to challenge team assumptions and spark innovation
4. Pair them with more structure-oriented engineers for balanced solutions

The Glue

These team members excel at keeping the group cohesive and productive. They focus on the often-overlooked but crucial aspects of software development. Those are not technical aspects but rather managing the team as a group of people working towards a common goal.

Strengths:

• Excellence in documentation
• Skilled at coordinating between teams
• Fosters team cohesion and communication

Challenges:

• Risk of burnout if their efforts go unrecognized
• May sacrifice personal coding time for team tasks which can make them feel less of an engineer compared to others

Tech Lead Tips:

1. Delegate team-building and coordination tasks to them
2. Ensure their contributions are recognized in performance reviews
3. Protect their time for personal development and coding
4. Leverage their skills for cross-team collaboration and knowledge sharing

Leveraging Diverse Talents

As a Tech Lead, your role is to harmonize these diverse strengths:

1. Create Balanced Teams: Mix these archetypes in your teams to cover all bases.
2. Tailor Communication: Adapt your communication style to each type for maximum effectiveness.
3. Promote Cross-Pollination: Encourage knowledge sharing between these different types.
4. Recognize Individual Contributions: Ensure each type feels valued for their unique strengths.
5. Develop Rounded Skills: Help each archetype grow in their weaker areas without diminishing their core strengths.

Conclusion

Remember, great teams are built on diversity. By understanding and leveraging these different engineer types, you can create a synergistic environment where the whole truly becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

What unique engineer types have you encountered in your career? How do you balance and utilize diverse talents in your team?