It's no doubt that I am a Flash team leader, and in a way it blows my mind that I am doing this for one of the largest Flash sites on the net. Not to mention that it keeps growing and evolving. However, I have had to come to terms with the fact that being a team lead has meant a lot less coding. I'll admit that I have had some depressing nights over this. However, the light has shone on my purpose here, at least for the time being.
As a developer, I was the sole coder. I got to design, code and build my knowledge in the process. Plus, I also have a lot of fun, while getting paid for it. If anything it was just me to deal with.
It's different as a team lead. However, I'm realizing that it is not a bad thing at all. To start, I now have a team of people. The only place I could think of where the perfect example of a leader is, is right in the new testament. Jesus said (and I paraphrase), "I have not come to be served, but to serve...", and this is the most powerful example that I can think of. Plain and simple: I serve my team and not the other way around. If anything I'm there to do what I can to not only help them do their job effectively, but to also keep them motivated and positive. This means that I have to be motivated and positive if I am going to serve my team effectively.
The other thing that I need to realize is that if I'm not going to be able to code as much, then it is up to me to pass on everything I know to the group. Not that I have ever held any secrets from anyone, but now it's more important than ever because if I don't use it, it will more than likely get lost. So, the only way it won't get lost is to make sure that the knowledge is passed on to those who will use it and further themselves in hopes that one day they will be in the position to pass it on, along with everything they have learned.
These things I must do are but the start of becoming an effective team lead.
-- Posted from my iPhone... because I can
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