For the last few days, I’ve been thinking about what makes a solid technical leader. What are their core qualities that make them great to work with?

I came up with two sets of qualities:

• Morale qualities: qualities that stimulate the other team members to give their best.
• Multiplier qualities: qualities that multiply the team output compared to that of other comparable teams.

For the morale qualities, I’ve come up with three:

• Someone with strong opinions that is open minded. Strong opinions get you out of conventional wisdom, of average thinking. If that is combined with open mindedness that is seeking truth rather than winning arguments, that brings a culture of challenge and growth to the team.
• Someone who picks the shovel, instead of just telling others where to dig. Someone who is hands on is much more connected with the pulse of the work itself; constantly hones their feel for where technical opportunities and difficulties lie; and carries respect from those actually doing most of the shovelling. This quality is only negated if the shovel picker doesn’t let anyone else actually pick up the shovel, or only lets others dig in low-risk areas.
• Someone who is grateful for what others do, and expresses that gratefulness. Not taking the team for granted, not minimizing their work or contribution, and acknowledging that their team spends much of their precious time on Earth doing work for the team.

For the multiplier qualities, I’ve got only two:

• Absolute focus on simplicity. Understanding that technical work is about minimizing complexity while still solving the problem. Having a track record of creating simple solutions, and of taking complex solutions and simplifying them.
• Strategic and unconventional thinking. Understanding that only a few things matter deeply, and that assumptions can be fruitfully challenged. Someone who distinguishes the signal from the noise, and boldly acts accordingly. Particularly in settings with fast speed and high uncertainty.

I think the above beats the following, more traditional qualities:

• Being a good communicator.
• Having many years of experience.
• Being able to perform technical feats.
• Being a hard worker.

Hope this is of use. And remember that I could be wrong!