I’ve been thinking about what makes a great engineering leader lately, especially after watching some newer managers struggle with the transition from IC to leadership.

Here’s what I’ve learned: the best leaders aren’t the ones barking orders from the top. They’re the ones acting like strong tree branches.

Think about it this way. Individual contributors are like the leaves on a tree, doing all the actual work, building the product, solving the problems. Everyone else? We’re just there to support that work.

As a leader, your job isn’t to control or micromanage. It’s to be that sturdy branch that helps your team reach higher, weather the storms, and do their best work without worrying about organizational chaos raining down on them.

The moment you start thinking leadership is about being “above” your team instead of supporting them, you’ve already lost the plot.

Keep supporting, keep enabling others to shine.