The hardest adjustment for a new TL is that you can no longer code at full IC capacity. Leadership work, reviews, unblocking, planning, communication, eats into focus time. The goal is not to stop coding but to code strategically on the things only you should do.
How to choose what to code
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DO code: DELEGATE / avoid:
- Risky architectural spikes - The most fun/interesting feature
- Critical-path blockers - Work a teammate could grow from
- Glue work nobody owns - Anything on the critical path you'd block
- Reviews and pairing - Large solo efforts that hide you for weeks