Get Promoted to Tech Lead

How to Stand Out and Move Up Faster

Sharing something special today - my first guest post!
Big thanks to Gábor for sharing his experience.

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Most developers who want to be a leader think they have to be the best coder on the team first.

• Designing robust architecture.

• Knowing the framework inside-out.

• Making the right technical decisions.

I went from software engineer to lead frontend developer to engineering manager — and I can tell you these things help.

However, they’re not what get you promoted.

I’ve worked with dozens of developers who wanted to move into leadership.
Some got promoted fast. Others stayed stuck for years.

You know what the biggest difference was?

It wasn’t working longer hours.
It wasn’t technical skill.
It was this:

The ones who got promoted were already acting like leaders—before they ever got the title.

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Most developers are waiting to be promoted

I hear it often from developers:

“I don’t agree with how we’re doing things. Once I get promoted, I’ll do it differently.”

Sounds reasonable — but it sends the wrong message.

Put yourself in your manager’s shoes. Two developers are on your team:

Developer A

• Finishes tasks on time

• Answers quickly in standups

• Is up-to-date on the latest tech

• Rarely asks for help and works independently

Developer B

• Helps teammates when they’re stuck

• Considers both business goals and tech decisions

• Focuses on team efficiency, not just personal output

• Thinks not only about implementation but also about delivery

When it’s time for a promotion — who do you pick?

The one who’s tech-focused and works in isolation?

Or the one who lifts the whole team’s performance and understands that technology serves the business — not the other way around?

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How to start acting like a leader before you have the title

If you want to get promoted, you need to show that you can already do the job.

Here’s how to start:

1. Help unblock others

Tech Leads aren’t just focused on their own work — they make sure the team moves forward.

Next time a teammate gets stuck, don’t wait to be asked.
Offer to pair up. Share how you’d approach the problem.

Even a 10-minute conversation can save hours of frustration.

This shows you’re thinking about team success, not just your tasks.

2. Think about delivery, not just implementation

In sprint planning or refinement meetings, don’t just propose the best tech solution. Ask the following:

“Is this the simplest way to deliver value now?”
“How does this align with the product goals?”
“What trade-offs should we consider?”

Showing that you care about delivery (not just building) signals that you understand the bigger picture.

3. Mentor someone

Even if you’re not the most senior engineer, you know something that someone else doesn’t.

• Help a junior understand a complex part of the codebase.

• Share your approach to debugging.

• Review a PR and explain why you’re suggesting changes.

Mentoring shows that you can grow others — not just yourself.

4. Communicate like a leader

It’s not about talking more — but about expressing yourself clearly.

When you make a decision or explain a delay, share the reasons behind your thinking.

For example:

“If we do X, we’ll meet the deadline but might sacrifice test coverage.
If we do Y, it’ll take longer but reduce long-term risk.”

This makes it easier for stakeholders to trust your judgment.

5. Keep a brag list and share your impact

The thing is, your manager doesn’t always notice what you do.

Keep a simple brag list to track moments like:

• When you unblock a teammate

• When you help deliver a project faster

• When you suggest a process improvement

• When you explain technical decisions to non-engineers

You want to remember the value you bring.

And when the time feels right — during 1-on-1s or performance reviews — share those wins.

Let your manager know you’re interested in growing into leadership.
Make it easy for them to see why you’re ready.

A brag list helps you show that you’re already acting like a leader — and it helps your manager advocate for your promotion.

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Final thought

If you want to move into a leadership role, don’t wait for the title.

Start acting today:

• Help the team, not just yourself

• Think about delivery and business goals

• Mentor others

• Communicate clearly

• Track your impact and share your wins

These small actions build trust and show your manager that you’re ready.

Because the real unfair advantage is this:

You get promoted after you start acting like a leader — not before.

—Gábor

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Lovely post! Quick thought from me (Daniil):

Anyone can follow a plan.
The real test is what you do when it breaks.
Do you freeze?
Do you blame?
Or do you adapt, lead, and find a new way forward?

That’s where real leadership begins.