So you’ve spent years honing your craft as an individual contributor (IC), and now you’re considering a transition to a leadership position. The appeal is obvious: greater influence, more responsibility, and a unique chance to shape your organization’s trajectory. However, stepping into a lead role comes with challenges that aren’t always highlighted in the job description.
One of the most significant hurdles is the shift in mindset that this move demands. Instead of focusing your energy on perfecting technical solutions or improving your own output, you’ll need to foster team dynamics, resolve interpersonal issues, and guide others to success.
Before you put in for that promotion or start applying for managerial positions, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on whether you’re truly ready for the mental and emotional shift that awaits.
Purpose of this post
In this post, we’ll dive into three key questions every IC should ask themselves before deciding to pursue a leadership role. These questions focus on your mindset and will help determine whether you’re prepared for the realities of leading a team.
By considering these questions seriously (that is, really taking the time to think them through), you’ll gain clarity on the path ahead, and whether you’re ready to embrace it. Be warned that this process may lead to some serious introspection! 😉
Question 1: Are you ready to work mostly with people instead of computers?
The challenge
As an IC, you typically immerse yourself in hands-on technical work: writing code, designing systems, or solving problems in your domain of expertise.
Once you move into a leadership role, your day-to-day looks quite different. Your success no longer comes primarily from your individual contributions but from how well you guide and support other people.
And this is easier said than done.
Instead of diving deep into code or design, you’ll spend more time in meetings, aligning cross-functional teams, and handling interpersonal (and potentially intercultural) challenges. You’ll need to develop skills in conflict resolution, empathy, and active listening, which often receive less attention in purely technical roles.
Why it matters
Leading effectively means recognizing that people are at the heart of every project’s success. You might spend hours helping a team member clarify their career goals, navigating a tricky personality conflict, or championing your team’s needs to upper management. While still useful, your technical chops take a backseat to emotional and relational skills.
For some, this is an exhilarating change – there’s deep satisfaction in witnessing others grow and thrive under your guidance. For others, the shift can be jarring. If you’re someone who finds joy primarily in solving coding puzzles or focusing on technical intricacies, you might feel a sense of loss when those activities diminish in your day-to-day routine.
Reflection ideas
• Rate your current satisfaction: Ask yourself how satisfied you are with your current hands-on, technical problem-solving. Does the idea of moving away from it make you anxious or excited?
• Assess your soft skills: How comfortable are you with coaching, mentoring, and actively listening to others? Does the thought of helping others succeed excite you, or do you prefer creating solutions yourself?
• Visualize your day: Think about the reality of spending 50–70% of your time in meetings, 1:1s, or group discussions. Do you find that energizing or rather draining?
Question 2: Are you ready to let go of control?
The challenge
One of the biggest hurdles for new leaders is delegation. Ok, actually, it is also a challenge for non-new leaders as well, but that’s not why we’re here today! 😃
In an IC role, you’re used to owning tasks end-to-end. You might be the go-to person for a particular project, product area, or technical specialty. Transitioning to a lead position means you can’t possibly be involved in every detail – and that’s by design.
Empowering others to take full ownership can feel like losing control. You may no longer be the person who touches every code commit or designs every feature. Instead, you’ll need to trust your team members to execute effectively – and you’ll have to accept that their approach may differ from yours.
Why it matters
True leadership is about multiplying your impact, not micromanaging every detail. When you trust your team, you create a more collaborative, innovative environment. If you cling to full control, you risk bottlenecking progress and demotivating those who want to learn and contribute.
Moreover, the success metrics change: a leader’s success is measured by the team’s achievements rather than individual output. If you’re uncomfortable letting others take the helm on tasks you used to do yourself, you could end up stifling your team’s potential.
Reflection ideas
• Check your trust levels: How comfortable are you with handing over important tasks to others and not monitoring every step?
• Practice letting go: Consider a small project or responsibility you can delegate now. How does that feel?
• Prepare for different outcomes: Ask yourself if you can handle results that come from a different approach than yours, even if the outcome is still successful. This approach will also mean working more to generate some failure insurance. It gets easier with practice, though.
Question 3: Are you ready to work driven by interruptions rather than a plan?
The challenge
As an IC, you often have the choice of planning your day around heads-down work. You can block out hours to focus on solving complex problems or building new features.
In a lead role, this reality shifts. Leaders frequently spend their time responding to urgent issues, juggling shifting priorities, and putting out fires that arise without warning.
While you can (and should) try to carve out focus time, the nature of leadership often means you’re on call to support your team whenever urgent needs crop up. If someone on your team is stuck, a production issue arises, or a stakeholder requests an immediate update, your carefully laid-out plan may need to be scrapped.
Why it matters
This shift is more than a logistical change – it’s a mindset change. Leaders must prioritize the team and the organization’s needs, balancing them against personal productivity. If you’re someone who thrives on predictable schedules and continuous, uninterrupted work, these constant pivots can make work less rewarding.
Reflection ideas
• Assess your tolerance for interruptions: How do you handle context-switching? Do frequent interruptions significantly reduce your effectiveness or mental well-being?
• Plan for chaos: While you can still schedule heads-down work, ask yourself if you’re prepared to be flexible and adapt immediately.
• Stress management check: Consider whether you have strategies in place (like daily planning sessions or time-blocking) for coping with an interruption-driven day. Can you plan some downtime to recharge?
Conclusion
Before making the leap into a leadership position, ask yourself:
- Are you ready to work primarily with people instead of computers? (Shifting focus from technical tasks to team dynamics and emotional intelligence)
- Are you ready to let go of control? (Delegating work and trusting others to deliver)
- Are you ready to be driven by interruptions rather than a plan? (Going for flexibility and prioritizing team or organizational needs over personal schedules)
These questions are designed to kick off introspection and help you determine if you’re in the right headspace to become an effective leader. By seriously considering how your mindset aligns with these new demands, you’ll be better equipped to succeed should you decide to move forward.
Next steps and resources
If you’re looking for further guidance, consider reading books like The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo or High Output Management by Andy Grove. Seek out mentors or coaching opportunities to help you navigate your leadership journey.
Ultimately, no one is ever fully ready for a leadership role before they start. The best leaders I have met are those who recognize the shift in mindset required and commit to constant growth.
If that resonates with you — embrace the challenge, and go lead! 🙌
