How To Be A More Human Centric Tech Leader
From our episode with Raphael Neves
🌟 Leadership Insights Newsletter | Edition: Becoming a Human-Centric Tech Leader
This edition dives into the evolving world of tech leadership with insights from a fascinating conversation between Chris Blakey and Raphael Neves, Director of Engineering at Zendesk and author of The Engineering Leadership Playbook. Raphael’s journey from software engineer to leader has inspired his mission to coach the next generation of tech leaders.
Read on to discover how Raphael redefines leadership, shifting the focus from technical expertise to people-first strategies that foster trust, growth, and team success.
🚀 Key Principles of Human-Centric Leadership
Raphael describes a human-centric leader as someone who prioritizes people’s growth and connection over technical prowess. Here are his guiding principles:
1. Move from Code to People
For many tech professionals, leadership begins when they’re promoted for technical expertise. But Raphael argues that leading is less about coding and more about creating environments where teams feel motivated and aligned with the bigger picture.
The shift: “People care less about your code and more about your ability to inspire, share vision, and grow talent,” says Raphael.
The goal: Build a team that thrives on understanding the “why” behind their work, not just the “how.”
2. Vulnerability Builds Trust
Vulnerability is often misunderstood as weakness, but Raphael believes it’s a leader’s strength.
Admit when you’re wrong or struggling: “It’s okay to say, ‘I don’t know.’ This builds credibility, not weakness.”
Empathy matters: Share personal experiences to create relatable, supportive connections.
3. Lead by Example: Walk the Talk
Integrity is non-negotiable. To inspire trust and credibility, a leader must embody the behaviours and principles they ask of their team.
Consistency matters: Raphael shares an example of holding himself accountable for giving timely performance reviews, reinforcing the importance of reliability.
Reflection: “Your team is your mirror. If they’re dysfunctional, it reflects your leadership.”
4. Know Your Team Beyond Work
Raphael emphasizes the importance of understanding team members as individuals, not just professionals.
Build trust over time: “You don’t need to be best friends, but you should know their passions, challenges, and what drives them.”
A practical example: Raphael recalls supporting a team member through personal struggles by offering flexibility and understanding, which ultimately helped them perform better.
5. Feedback That Matters
Feedback should be actionable and context-driven, avoiding sugarcoating or vagueness.
Skip the “sandwich method”: Deliver praise and criticism separately for clarity and authenticity.
Frameworks to try: Use Radical Candor or the Nonviolent Communication model to focus on behavior and impact, not personality.
6. Practice Active Listening
Great leaders listen to understand, not just to reply. Raphael stresses the importance of being fully present during conversations.
Be intentional: Turn off distractions during one-on-ones.
Look for the unsaid: Pay attention to nonverbal cues and unspoken needs.
7. Retention Over Recruitment
Hiring may be the first step, but retaining talent is where the challenge lies.
Stay proactive: Raphael shares how he avoided losing a valuable employee by recognizing their desire for more challenging work and facilitating a move to a team better suited to their growth.
Create opportunities: Initiatives like hackathons, cross-team projects, and coaching programs can re-engage team members and reduce attrition.
8. Promote and Reward When It’s Due
Delayed recognition kills motivation. Raphael highlights the importance of timely promotions and rewards:
His advice: “If someone deserves a promotion and you have the resources, don’t wait. Recognize their contributions before a competitor does.”
Avoid bias: He recounts challenging an unfair decision not to promote someone on parental leave, ultimately ensuring the recognition they deserved.
📚 Resources for Aspiring Leaders
Raphael’s favorite leadership reads include:
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
Podcasts to Explore:
Radical Candor Podcast
Jocko Podcast
The Anxious Achiever (for leaders managing anxiety while staying productive)
🌟 A Final Thought
Leadership in tech isn’t about being the smartest person in the room; it’s about enabling others to shine. As Raphael puts it, “Your success as a leader is measured by the impact of your team.”
Interested in coaching or more insights? Connect with Raphael on LinkedIn for resources on stepping into leadership roles or preparing for interviews.
Order Raphael’s Book: The Engineering Leadership Playbook—your guide to building a people-first leadership style.
If you want to know more then make sure to watch the full episode, you can watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify!