Leading in Tech, week 5 case

Case: the component only you understand

A senior engineer owns the pricing engine, alone. Bus factor: 1, for five years.

His first lead role is finally offered, starting next month. Peak season starts in ten weeks. The offer will not wait.

You will now hear the full case, one page, 5 minutes. Listen for what has already been tried.

Leading in Tech, week 5 case

Case: the laws in tension

  • Legacy: a bus factor of 1 is a known risk, and his name is on it
  • Empowerment: a real handover means letting beginners make real mistakes, in season
  • Priorities: the season and the career both look like requirement number one

Three laws, and they do not point to the same answer.

Leading in Tech, week 5 case

One handover, both tracks

Whether you lead a team of reports or lead technical direction without reports, this trap has your name on it.

ICs face it as the component only they understand. EMs face it as the team that cannot run without them.

Ownership you cannot hand off owns you.

Leading in Tech, week 5 case

Activity: prepare your camp

Assigned camps, 10 minutes. One camp argues: take the role and start the handover now, accept the peak-season risk. The other argues: stay on the engine through the peak, protect the season, risk the seat.

Build your opening and your best evidence from the case text.

Challenge: what is the other camp's strongest attack on you?