Crossroads: Going from Developer to Leader

2016's Quicken Loans Technology Conference, I shared my journey from Developer to Leader and the crossroads in-between. This was an emotion filled talk that resonated with all types... leaders, developers, business drivers, and more.

Abstract:
Over the past year, many team members have reached out and asked the same question over and over, “Why did I choose to get into leadership?” During this talk, I will focus on answering this question, telling my story from developer to leader and everything in-between. I will also share my crossroads experience with you: my decision between going back to engineering, or going all-in on being a leader. Spoiler Alert - I Choose Leadership - come and find out why. At the end of this talk, I hope to have helped some of you realize your next step when it comes to leadership even if it means deciding it's not for you.

Transcript

2. @CALVINBUSHOR CROSSROADS: GOING FROM DEVELOPER TO LEADER 2
3. @CALVINBUSHOR CALVIN BUSHOR ‣ Director of Technology at QL ‣ Background: Web Development ‣ I LOVE JS (Especially Node.js) ‣ I LOVE to help people unlock their Super Powers!
4. @CALVINBUSHOR TODAY’S STORY IS ABOUT THAT JOURNEY From Dev To Leader 4
5. @CALVINBUSHOR TODAY’S RULES: 1.I will be transparent 2.I will be authentic 3.I may have some emotion, I am okay with that 4.You ask, I will answer 5.I ask, YOU will answer 5
6. @CALVINBUSHOR LET’S TRY RULE #5! (I ASK, YOU ANSWER) 6
7. @CALVINBUSHOR THAT’S WHY YOU ARE HERE TODAY! TO HEAR THIS JOURNEY HOPING IT HELPS YOU FIGURE THINGS OUT
8. @CALVINBUSHOR ANSWER ME THESE QUESTIONS THREE! 1.When did I first think about becoming a leader? 2.How did I become a leader? 3.Why am I a leader? ▸ Lessons Learned.
9. @CALVINBUSHOR LINE OF DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPER 9 Dev Intern Eng Sr. Eng Captain/Tech Lead
10. @CALVINBUSHOR LINE OF DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPER 10 Dev Intern Eng Sr. Eng Captain/Tech Lead I THOUGHT I WAS THE $%!#!
11. @CALVINBUSHOR I KNEW NOTHING! 11
12. @CALVINBUSHOR LINE OF DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPER 12 Dev Intern Eng Sr. Eng Captain/Tech Lead LEARN WHAT I DIDN’T KNOW.
13. Fog of War
14. Fog of War
15. The Matrix Effect
16. Duane George Paul & Angel
17. @CALVINBUSHOR Q1. WHEN DID I FIRST THINK ABOUT BECOMING A LEADER?
18. @CALVINBUSHOR LINE OF DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPER 18 Dev Intern Eng Sr. Eng Captain/Tech Lead WHEN DID I FIRST THINK ABOUT BECOMING A LEADER?
19. @CALVINBUSHOR Q2. HOW DID I BECOME A LEADER?
20. Duane George Paul & Angel
21. @CALVINBUSHOR I FORKED MYSELF!
22. @CALVINBUSHOR Captain/Tech Lead Eng Leader 22 I FORKED MYSELF!
23. @CALVINBUSHOR LINE OF DEVELOPMENT - LEADER 23 X-Fnc Leader Eng Leader COE Leader Director
24. @CALVINBUSHOR LINE OF DEVELOPMENT - LEADER 24 X-Fnc Leader Eng Leader COE Leader Director DOES THIS LOOK FAMILIAR?
25. @CALVINBUSHOR LINE OF DEVELOPMENT - LEADER 25 X-Fnc Leader Eng Leader COE Leader Director DOES THIS LOOK FAMILIAR? CROSSROADS MOMENT!
26. @CALVINBUSHOR SHOULD I GO BACK?
27. @CALVINBUSHOR THREE QUICK STORIES
28. @CALVINBUSHOR THREE QUICK STORIES 28 1. Linglong: “Be the CIO of Rocket Mortgage!” 2.Josh: “Doesn’t matter Cal.” 3.John: “Sh%t or get off the pot!”
29. @CALVINBUSHOR LINE OF DEVELOPMENT - LEADER 29 X-Fnc Leader Eng Leader COE Leader Director OKAY, HERE WE GO!
30. @CALVINBUSHOR LESSONS LEARNED
31. @CALVINBUSHOR L1. IT’S A CAREER CHANGE (#FOG_OF_WAR)
32. @CALVINBUSHOR L2. ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION: “WHAT TYPE OF LEADER DO I WANT TO BE?”
33. @CALVINBUSHOR L3. IT’S SCARY A.F.
34. @CALVINBUSHOR L4. IT WILL BE OKAY! BUILD A SUPPORT GROUP. START NOW! (FIND #ACCOUNTABILIBUDDIES - PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU BETTER)
36. @CALVINBUSHOR Q3. WHY AM I A LEADER NOW?
37. @CALVINBUSHOR A GOODBYE LETTER. Thanks Cal! I really enjoyed working with you over the years. You’re one of the most impactful leaders I’ve worked with in my professional career. That’s not just one of those “say something nice before you leave things”. I really mean it. You dove in head first into the Olympians leader role and I think you’re doing some great things with the team. Hopefully this isn’t the last we see of each other. I want you to know that if I ever decide to try out a leadership role I’ll try to be one like you. Farewell.
38. @CALVINBUSHOR LET’S TRY RULE #5! (I ASK, YOU ANSWER) 38
39. @CALVINBUSHOR AMA (ASK ME ANYTHING)