A seasoned CTO with 25 years of experience argues that the single most important shift for a developer aiming for leadership is moving from a “problem solver” to a “problem finder.” Many talented developers get stuck in a reactive role, becoming expert fixers who are rewarded for handling immediate crises but are consistently overlooked for strategic planning. They are measured by features shipped, not by problems avoided, effectively “babysitting the past” instead of designing the future.
The Trap of Reactive Expertise
The speaker shares that simply becoming a better technical expert—mentoring juniors, leading architecture discussions, and working longer hours—is insufficient for leadership. This approach is still reactive, focusing on solving current problems rather than preventing future ones. The pivotal moment is realizing that leadership requires thinking bigger and anticipating what’s next for the business, not just the codebase.
The 3-Step “Problem Finder” Framework
To make this transition, the speaker proposes a three-step framework to develop a proactive, strategic mindset:
- See Around Corners: Proactively identify future breaking points. Analyze metrics, growth projections, and system bottlenecks to anticipate what will fail and when.
- Connect Tech to Business: Frame technical solutions in terms of business impact. Instead of saying a solution is “faster,” explain that it “saves 40 engineer hours per sprint” or reduces customer churn.
- Be the Voice of the Future: In meetings, contribute strategic insights and raise potential risks before they escalate. Shift from giving status updates to providing foresight.
Conclusion: From Fixer to Leader
By adopting this forward-thinking approach, a developer’s role transforms. You stop being the person who merely fixes things and become the person who prevents things from breaking in the first place. This earns you a seat at the decision-making table, where your input on strategy is valued, marking the transition from a skilled engineer to a true tech leader.
Mentoring question
Think about your last month at work. How much of your time was spent reacting to immediate problems versus proactively identifying and addressing future challenges for your team or the business?
Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=MWzdHlLUsZs&si=A8yZTFFqH10RaJR8
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