Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

As you can imagine, these reasons demand an immense amount of skill and craftsmanship from their leads. Not only do team leaders need to have a deep understanding of the technology they are working with, but they must also know how to properly manage people to work together efficiently, which often means leading by example, setting realistic goals with achievable deadlines, and mastering some excellent communication skills to ensure everyone is up to date on their responsibilities and progressing towards a common goal. 

But how does a leader come to be? Usually, possessing several essential qualities like exceptional problem-solving capabilities and expertise with the required techniques is the first thing that comes to mind. Some natural affinity to effectively communicate project goals and set expectations for each team member, drawing out key strengths from individual members to leverage in completing tasks efficiently and on time, is also part of a leader’s toolkit. And perhaps more importantly, an effective team leader possesses strong organizational skills, able to schedule with clarity, stay on track, and delegate work accordingly. As such, these qualities are paramount for becoming an effective leader in software development teams, but they have to come from somewhere. They have to be mastered.

Building a good leader from the ground up

Moving from a senior developer role to a Team Lead can be challenging for even the most experienced professionals. It typically involves moving from primarily executing tasks to leading and motivating other individuals and learning to develop and execute strategies. Additionally, being responsible for other people’s learning progress gives those in this position added pressure to ensure the right guidance is given, and tough decisions may have to be made if results don’t meet expectations. There are great potential rewards with this type of career advancement, of course, but it can be daunting at first, and take an important toll on the developer. 

“To be honest, I never considered myself an innate leader”, says Martín Ruiz Pérez, Team Lead and Senior Application Developer at Scio. “For me, an innate leader is someone who naturally gravitates towards leading roles, and seems to have a knack to organize others and bring a team together. It’s not something that I saw myself doing when I started designing software, so I had to learn as I went. However, looking up to the leaders I had at Scio helped me to understand and develop a good approach to leadership. At the very beginning, I tried to use a more practical leadership style, but some important things in terms of organization and management kept slipping from my grasp, so learning the appropriate soft skills was my biggest challenge, which might give me less trouble if I had a more natural disposition towards leadership.” 

After all, leaders come in all shapes and sizes and should possess a variety of unique skills. And while some have a knack for motivation, communication, and organizing projects, it has long been debated as to whether such leadership traits are intrinsic or can be learned. On one hand, raw natural ability is something many leaders possess and likely accounts for some of their success, but on the other hand, continuous learning efforts by any individual can pay considerable dividends in building up leadership skills, especially when it comes to fields like software, where trends, tools, and framework seem to change daily. The most successful leaders likely combine both powerful innate abilities with relentlessly targeted learning, just like Martín’s case, but without the proper environment to grow into this role, the results will never get any better. So, if an organization wants to help an experienced software developer to grow into the role of a leader, they need to cultivate an environment that promotes self-reflection and encouragement. Developing effective leadership skills requires practice and feedback, and providing resources within their organization for professional development is beneficial for both their employees and the company as a whole. By providing this guidance, support, and tools needed to transition from individual contributor to leader, the company can empower them on their journey to success.

“In my case, one of the most challenging aspects of this journey into a more leading position was mastering the ability to become the ‘director of the orchestra’, so to speak, and bring everyone on the same page”, continues Martín. “Someone whose job is to direct people needs the technical expertise to, let’s say, understand what the client wants and translate that into a viable product, document it, and communicate that goal to the team, knowing who is best suited for the task. And learning to do that took some conscious effort on my part and support from others to avoid micromanaging the team, or letting deadlines slip. Nowadays, I try to bring everyone together and listen to ideas, and support my teammates in everything I can, but in the end, you need to come to terms with the responsibility of a good outcome.”

The challenges of leadership nobody tells you about

It is often said that being a leader comes with certain inherent challenges, but some lesser-known issues lurk beneath the surface. One problem, for example, that can arise from taking on a leadership role in software development is the difficulty of staying up to date with the latest trends. As technology advances rapidly, it can be hard for a leader to make sure their team’s skillset is aligned with the current industry expectations, and they must balance taking initiative to encourage change and innovation while still staying within the framework of guidelines provided by clients, business partners, or stakeholders. As we said, being a successful leader requires more than just technical skills; it also calls for managerial aptitude and negotiation savvy.

And these circumstances sometimes result in interesting situations for a development team whose levels of experience with different frameworks or technologies may vary a lot. As you might imagine, working as a leader with people who have more experience and knowledge than you in certain areas can be a challenging situation to navigate, particularly when most up-to-date trends and best practices are always evolving. A great leader must recognize this challenge, but also put their trust in the other team members and allow them to lead ideas and initiatives even when it may be difficult to do so at first; doing so gives an excellent opportunity for growth both for the leader as well as for the team itself, creating stronger bonds between all parties involved. In short, this situation requires humility, commitment, and directness from all those involved to work through difficulties that may arise during collaboration.

“I’ve been part of teams where certain developers have more experience in a specific area or more years in the industry than the leads, but what that could mean for the project is highly variable”, explains Martín. “Having someone with lots of expertise always benefits a team, and as a leader, you should know how to best approach these situations to ensure the best outcome for the product being developed. In fact, on one occasion, I’ve even thought about stepping down from the lead position in favor of someone else or even becoming co-leaders, because I consider that their vision and knowledge might lead the project down a better path. Recognizing those kinds of situations is important, and with the kind of flat organization that Scio has, this can be done rather easily than in most places.”

Doing what is best for your team and project could mean making difficult decisions such as these, after all. A leader should always lead with integrity and put the needs of their group before their own; when they do this, the project can only benefit. Stepping down in these situations is never shameful, and one often demonstrates true strength by putting others before oneself. It may be hard, but making a tough decision like that can result in a better product outcome. 

Of course, this is not the only difficult situation that a Team Lead has to deal with. As we have discussed before, promoting someone to a leadership position can be a decision with plenty of implications, mostly because you are taking someone very competent at what they do, and assigning them a job that they may or may not be prepared for. However, becoming an effective leader in software development does not mean leaving your passion behind. The fact of the matter is, by studying and taking time to reflect on what it means to be a leader in the field, you can find ways to combine your individual passions with the leadership skills necessary to become successful in software development. Whether that involves delegating tasks more effectively or learning new coding languages to lead projects yourself, leaders should strive to understand the needs of their teams and how they can best bring out their collective strengths. Truly great leaders recognize that by investing their energy and enthusiasm into the work they do, they will inspire those around them to propel projects forward and reach success both collectively and individually.

“Of course, I still enjoy the technical aspect of my job, and I would never wish to leave that behind completely”, explains Martín. “I’m reluctant to see myself as a mere Team Lead or Project Manager, I still have so much to learn about the technical side of development, and I’d like to become a System Architect in the future. However, I’ve seen the importance of having good management abilities for my team, and helping my teammates is something I really like to do, especially in more technical aspects of the project. There are many ways to work, after all. But it is a challenge to balance my responsibilities as a leader with my passion for the nitty-gritty of coding and engineering. Paying enough focus to both is a must.”

In other words, allowing software development team leads to stay connected with the technical aspect of a project ensures they don’t suffer burnout. Working solely in a management capacity can be draining and monotonous while keeping abreast of the rapidly changing technical landscape keeps things interesting. It also gives them an outlet to engage their technical skills, which are almost certainly valuable assets on any software development project. Plus, letting the lead developer spend some time writing code enables them to stay current with their craft—they can actively learn new techniques and stay aware of the ever-changing trends in the tech industry. Giving team leads the chance to sometimes participate directly in the work they oversee is beneficial for the productivity and morale of everyone involved.

As a software development lead, it’s often about hitting the complicated balance between authority, responsibility, experience, and technical know-how. Combining authoritative direction with a genuine appreciation for their peers’ tasks and experience is an arduous task that can be difficult to master. Communication skills, technical know-how, and the ability to draw from past experiences are all necessary qualifiers that define a great software team lead, and this balance must be actively maintained while also setting deadlines, managing expectations, and nudging the team in the right direction. Such a challenging balancing act can write the difference between a successful agile team and one stuck in disarray. 

That is why the support of a good organization and the willingness to grow at every opportunity set the leaders at Scio apart. Not for nothing the best software developers in Latin America are part of our teams: the human part of creating great software always remains at the core of our craft.

The Key Takeaways

• A good Team Lead is a key element of any software engineering project, responsible for team management, meeting deadlines, and ensuring tasks are completed to high quality.
• For those transitioning into this role, certain challenges exist such as staying up to date with the latest trends in technology and managing teams whose levels of experience vary greatly.
• By fostering a supportive environment which encourages self-reflection and professional development, companies can empower team leads on their journey to success.
• Combining natural leadership qualities with carefully targeted learning efforts is key for successful leadership while allowing leads to engage in the technical aspects of development keeps them productive and motivated.

Scio is an established Nearshore software development company based in Mexico that specializes in providing high-quality, cost-effective technologies for pioneering tech companies. We have been building and mentoring teams of engineers since 2003 and our experience gives us access not only to the knowledge but also the expertise needed when tackling any project. Get started today by contacting us about your project needs – We have teams available to help you achieve your business goals. Get in contact today!

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

However, having a constant stream of projects in the pipeline comes with very specific challenges. We have talked before about how juggling projects effectively is critical for any software development partner, and how a smart allocation of resources is what makes these business models work. But in an industry like software development, where everything moves at a breakneck speed, this is not always feasible. Sometimes, flexible planning is what an organization needs to meet all of its goals satisfactorily, especially when the number of resources on hand may not be ideal. Now, planning a new software project without the necessary talent or resources seems like an insurmountable challenge, but the key is being smart, prioritizing tasks based on their feasibility, determining what skills are necessary for the project, and then reaching out to outside support if required.

Expanding on this last point, working with development partners can be an invaluable resource for software companies in times of limited resources. A development partner not only can provide the means to accomplish projects that are outside of the areas of expertise of a business, but also ensure the successful completion of complex technical tasks without having to hire additional employees or redirect resources away from core activities. That way, development partners allow software companies to keep up with the industry, offering them access to specialized knowledge and insights they may not have in-house to keep moving forward with any project that might come their way.

Don’t fake it until you make it!

Sometimes it can be daunting to take on a new software project and not have the necessary resources on hand to complete it, however, there are certain strategies a business can implement to ensure they are set up for success regardless. First, an organization should take a holistic view of all the components required by the project (from staffing levels to available technology, to timelines) and determine whether or not the necessary resources are accessible or need to be secured. And creating a game plan that includes a breakdown of tasks that can be assigned among team members efficiently, while recognizing workloads, strengths, and limitations is key, with knowledge sharing as a beneficial approach to leverage different perspectives, getting the necessary expertise to complete each task successfully, and avoiding the unnecessary waste of time or resources. 

Of course, there’s always the temptation of «faking it until you make it», but when it comes to taking on big software projects, this ideally should not be the go-to approach. It may seem like a good strategy when negotiating business with a new client, but the unpredictable nature of development can bring unforeseen risks or cause massive disruptions. Sure, a company specialized in building software applications might not want to pass the chance of getting a new contract when the opportunity arises, and while transparency is important at all levels of the development cycle, outright admitting that you don’t have the necessary staff or resources on hand to start as soon as possible isn’t a wise choice either. What can a business do, then, to ensure you can keep taking on projects without straining your team or improvising a solution?

In that case, it’s important to look for external sources of talent that might help close any gaps in your team that might prevent you from taking on a new project. Utilizing freelance developers or outsourcing certain aspects of the project to other companies can be a way of doing so, but this requires research to make sure that both outside employees and companies have the kind of cultural match that will help ensure the project is completed efficiently (which is an often overlooked yet essential factor when outsourcing). And building a cohesive relationship with your chosen software development partner involves understanding each other’s objectives, communication styles, core values, and management processes. Taking the time to assess these criteria can help guarantee that your expectations are met and also tempers potential clashes in work ethic or style that may arise from having two distinct cultures come together. 

“With a seamless cultural match between both parties, you can expect higher levels of trust, better team cooperation, mutual respect, and successful outcomes for both teams”, says Rod Aburto, Service Delivery Manager and Partner at Scio. “Nearshore development partners become extensions of a company’s talent network, meaning they can provide talented professionals with the perfect cultural fit. By choosing a Nearshore partner with a similar culture, language, and time zone, companies get to work with people who understand their market and its nuances. This is ultimately beneficial for the business as it can lead to increased efficiency and productivity in the process of developing software and other IT solutions. They bring invaluable insight into product development due to a deep understanding of local trends and user preferences. Hiring nearshoring specialists means that everyone involved in the project understands each other’s needs better. This enables teams to create innovative products that meet users’ demands most effectively.”

In other words, hiring a great software development team with the right skills and expertise goes hand-in-hand with finding a partner who can seamlessly fit into the rest of your organization. Not only does this help foster communication between teams, but it will also help your organization to get a better position to accept new projects and challenges from clients, without worrying about communication issues or other hurdles that might risk a positive outcome. By having a shared understanding right from the beginning, it will be much easier to reach both short-term and long-term goals while ensuring everyone is satisfied with the results.

Setting up the team to start right away

Setting up an external team to work on a client’s software project can be daunting, especially if the timeline is tight. However, the right strategy makes all the difference in quickly putting together a team that moves effectively. A good approach is to first structure a comprehensive plan defining goals and tasks, which will be the roadmap for onboarding new members and organizing tasks accordingly. It’s also important to invest time in selecting qualified individuals who fit both the project scope and core values, ensuring that they have the necessary skill set to complete the project on time. Developing clear-cut expectations regarding multitasking and communication protocols are also essential to ensure a successful start. With diligent planning combined with an experienced pool of contributors, setting up an external team to work on a client’s software project can be completed swiftly and deliver favorable outcomes.

Gathering all these requirements will help you select the perfect developers from the ranks for a Nearshore partner, with relevant experience and qualifications that are suited for the project. Once you have established the core members, provide resources and tools to collaborate effectively and efficiently, as well as consider setting up regular check-ins with your client to ensure everyone is on track with any modifications they may require along the way. 

In short, working with Nearshore software development services can be the best bet for taking on more clients and new projects with few resources to spare. Not only does Nearshore software give you access to an entire talented pool of experienced and knowledgeable developers well-versed in the latest technologies and tools, but the seamless integration of these teams means clients will always receive the highest quality of work, so projects can be completed quickly and without issue. Ultimately, working with a Nearshore partner guarantees a cost-effective solution that delivers impressive results, so you never have to pass up another opportunity ever again, or pray that your team can handle yet another challenge without breaking the whole development process in the way.

The Key Takeaways

• When it comes to software development, no company ever wants to say “no” to a new client, but it can get tricky to juggle too many projects at once.
• For that reason, it’s pretty common to say yes to a new engagement but scramble to find the necessary resources and staff to make it happen, which can have some unpredictable consequences.
• If that’s the case, partnering with outside help is the best course of action, ensuring that a steady flow of talent is always available. 
• Since a seamless integration is critical, Nearshore development partners are the best option, with the right balance of expertise, cultural match, and closeness necessary to bring any project to life.

Scio is an established Nearshore software development company based in Mexico that specializes in providing high-quality, cost-effective technologies for pioneering tech companies. We have been building and mentoring teams of engineers since 2003 and our experience gives us access not only to the knowledge but also the expertise needed when tackling any project. Get started today by contacting us about your project needs – We have teams available to help you achieve your business goals. Get in contact today!