Tech Leadership – Can it be done differently today?

When people hear the word leader, many still imagine someone who always speaks first, makes all the decisions, and expects others to follow. But the more I grow into my own leadership role, the more I believe it can — and should — be done differently.

When being seen and heard matters

For me, leadership isn’t about standing above the team. It’s about creating a space where people are both seen and heard.

Clear standards matter — without them, chaos quickly takes over. But within those boundaries, there should also be room for authenticity, individuality, and voices that challenge the status quo.

Why people stay

One question I often ask myself is: Why do people stay in their jobs? Why don’t they leave, and what makes them enjoy the work? The answer, I’ve realized, often lies in the team.

People stay when they can be authentic, when they help each other, and when they laugh together — even if the humor sometimes gets a little weird. I knew my team was working when I caught myself scrolling through our chat, just watching messages fly by, and realizing: these people always have each other’s backs.

Living the standard

I also remember when remote options were suddenly taken away. I didn’t have to say a single word. I simply saw my people show up at the office, one by one.

That’s when it hit me: the standard I had set was working. But it only worked because I lived by it too. Standards are not just rules written on a page; they are behaviors you model every day.

Feedback as proof

And perhaps the clearest confirmation came through feedback: my team told me they can see I stand behind them. They see that I hear their problems, that I act on them, and that the agreements we make are kept.

That trust is what fuels motivation. It’s what turns “just work” into something meaningful.

A different kind of leadership

So yes — I believe tech leadership can be done differently today. With standards, with authenticity, and with transparency at the core. Because in the end, leadership is not about control, but about building an environment where people can grow and succeed together.

And maybe it’s worth asking yourself: what standard are you setting today that your team is already noticing, even when you’re not watching?