[TheMog]

First, how do you know it's the tech lead's "fault" and not an issue with company culture? Yes, your tech lead may indeed not be the best lead ever, but only too often is this a reflection of overall company culture.

Second, how do you know he's uncoachable? Have you tried? Does the company even offer coaching for new managers? I've run into this far too often that as great engineer, somehow you're supposed to know how to manage people and it shows.

Third and most importantly, given the environment why do you think you can do better? You say you have worked at that level before so obviously you have some experience, but do you see all the obstacles that your current tech lead is facing?

Here's what I would do, based on the fairly limited information you provided:

- Help your tech lead. Make her/him look at least better and try to see if you can affect team culture and morale. Unless it's a company culture issue, this should get recognised (often with a promotion) and you can get a better idea if it's actually an issue with your lead and not the company. It sounds like you came onboard after their promotion so you might not know what sort of dumpster fire they inherited. What I wouldn't do is play political games to undermine the lead - if I as a manager would find out about something like that, you'd be out the door quicker than you can say "but they don't know what they're doing".

- Second, I'd keep an eye out for other job opportunities. It sounds like the issue may well be considerably bigger than an involuntary tech lead. Sometimes you got to know when to bail.

[dnqasd]

I agree with all of this, additionally, if a manager reads HN this is a great question to poison the well.

"Look manager, HN thinks that the bad (by fiat from the OP) team lead should be removed."

I personally know people playing such games.