From slinging milk crates to writing code, from fold-up tables to a director’s chair—this is my journey through pain, doubt, and late-night Zelda sessions. Not because it’s special. Because someone out there needs to hear what’s possible.
Tech hiring is broken. The endless forms, the unpaid take-homes, the ghosting—none of it makes sense, and we all know it. If you’re in tech leadership, it’s time to fix it. Don’t just survive the system. Change it.
Recognition is nice, but it doesn’t pay the bills. Here’s what I actually look for in a job: fair pay, real promotions, work-life balance, trust, and a team that doesn’t treat fun like a four-letter word.
Impostor syndrome doesn’t vanish—it just shows up in new costumes. Over a decade into tech, I still question myself. But I keep showing up anyway. Because confidence isn't knowing everything—it's knowing you’ll figure it out.
You just became a tech lead, maybe by choice—maybe not. Here's a no-fluff guide for new leaders who still remember what it's like to be in the trenches—and want to lead without turning into “that boss.”
