developer life - Lead Don't Ctrl

The Real MVPs Are Your Quiet Engineers, Not the Guy Who Talks the Most in Standup

16 Jul 2025 1 min read tech leadership

Your quiet engineer just shipped a system-saving patch while the loud guy monologued through standup. Volume isn’t value. Learn to recognize and reward the real MVPs, especially the ones not shouting for attention.

Your Poor Planning Is Not My Emergency

01 Jun 2025 2 min read burnout culture

If your project only ships when devs drop everything last-minute, it’s not urgency—it’s poor planning. Stop making your bad timeline our crisis. Read the full takedown now on LeadDontCtrl.

🎮 Tech Leadership as a Co-Op Game (But One of You Keeps Friendly Firing)

28 May 2025 2 min read dev culture

Tech leadership isn’t a solo campaign—it’s a co-op game, and someone on your team keeps friendly firing. This post breaks down how to lead without blowing up your own squad. Sarcasm included. Respawns not guaranteed.