From IC to Executive

The Technical Leader's Complete Transition Guide

Individual Contributor
Writing Code
Solving Problems
→
Technical Executive
Leading Teams
Driving Revenue

The 7 Fatal Mistakes Technical Leaders Make

After coaching 32 engineers through leadership transitions, I've seen the same costly mistakes repeated. Here's how to avoid them:

1

The Superhero Syndrome

Trying to code your way out of every problem instead of empowering your team.

Solution: Learn to delegate technical decisions

2

The Avoided Conversation

Delaying difficult feedback until small issues become major problems.

Solution: Master the SBI feedback framework

3

The Meeting Avalanche

Saying yes to every meeting and having no time for strategic thinking.

Solution: Implement meeting budgets

4

The Metrics Mirage

Tracking vanity metrics instead of business outcomes.

Solution: Align metrics to revenue impact

5

The Politics Phobia

Avoiding organizational dynamics and losing influence.

Solution: Build strategic alliances

6

The Impostor Spiral

Feeling like a "fake manager" and overcompensating.

Solution: Embrace beginner's mindset

The LEAD Framework for Technical Leaders

L

Listen

  • Active listening techniques
  • 1:1 frameworks
  • Team pulse checks
E

Empower

  • Delegation strategies
  • Decision frameworks
  • Autonomy building
A

Align

  • OKR setting
  • Vision communication
  • Cross-team collaboration
D

Deliver

  • Execution frameworks
  • Process optimization
  • Results measurement

Leaders Who've Made the Transition

"Adam helped me work through several complex conversations at the management level. Being more thoughtful long term is something I've picked up from Adam."

George Guja
IC → Engineering Manager, Acuity Insights

"His insights and use of real-life scenarios during coaching have significantly broadened my perspective and understanding."

Fahad Daryee
QA Manager → Engineering Manager, Xello

What's Inside the Guide

📘 Part 1: The Mindset Shift

  • From maker to multiplier thinking
  • Overcoming impostor syndrome
  • Building executive presence
  • Managing former peers

📗 Part 2: Essential Skills

  • Having difficult conversations
  • Strategic thinking frameworks
  • Stakeholder management
  • Decision-making under uncertainty

📙 Part 3: Your First 90 Days

  • Week-by-week transition plan
  • Quick wins to build credibility
  • Team assessment templates
  • Communication cadence setup

📕 Part 4: Advanced Leadership

  • Building high-performance teams
  • Navigating organizational politics
  • Managing up effectively
  • Creating your leadership brand
Adam White

Your Guide: Adam White

I've been where you are. I've made the transition from writing code to leading teams of 40+, from solving technical problems to driving $200M+ in business outcomes.

Co-founder → Exit
IC → Director
32 Leaders Coached
25 Years Experience

Now I help technical leaders like you navigate this critical career transition with confidence and clarity. This guide contains everything I wish I knew when I started my leadership journey.

Get Your Free Leadership Transition Guide

Plus exclusive bonuses for action-takers:

🎯 1:1 Meeting Templates
📊 RACI Decision Matrix
💬 Difficult Conversation Scripts