[bargl]

As a Tech Lead on my current project I see my role as that of the mediator many times. But something interesting I've found in my current role is that I have to extract opinions from my team. They are great developers but they are quiet so I have to pull them aside and get their feedback. I have to let them know why we are doing what we are doing.

I'd argue that a great Tech Lead (which I am not) encourages his team to work together better all while guiding them around common project pitfalls so that they don't make massive mistakes in direction. He also needs to be able to make every voice on his team heard. This has been really hard for me, and every time someone expresses an opinion contrary to mine I end up having to stop my knee jerk reaction to shoot them down. Because my team needs differing opinions.

I think my biggest personal win has been getting one of our quiet developers who doesn't have the best grasp of English to speak more and feel respected (I hope).

To be fully up front my team is 100% contract developers other than me, so I also have to let them know that I personally do not see them as contractors. They have just as much buy in to this project. If they don't like the design, I'll listen and we can discuss it as a team as long as there is a proposed alternative.