Leaders Should Write Code

I think it's important for leaders to use the tools that their teams use. If you don't do this, then you won't understand the challenges your team faces, and you won't be able to empathize with them. You'll also miss out on the opportunity to learn from your team and to contribute to the work that they're doing.

For engineering leaders, this means writing code. Even if you're not a great coder, you can still write code and contribute to the projects that your team is working on. This will help you to understand the technical challenges that your team is facing, and it will also show your team that you're willing to get your hands dirty and do the work.

I think this is even more important in this crazy world of AI. As a leader, it is your job to make sure that your team is using the best tools available, and that they are using them effectively. If you're not familiar with the tools that your team is using, then you won't be able to make informed decisions about which tools to use, and you won't be able to help your team to use those tools effectively. Finally, you also need to be able to help explain to others why things are possible or not possible with the tools that your team is using. If you don't understand the tools, then you won't be able to explain to others why certain things are possible or not possible, and this can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications.