Avoid the 35‑Year Crisis: 5 Practices Every Tech Leader Must Master

1. Adult Mindset

Define adult as per Netflix culture: self‑time management, proactive problem solving, respect for discipline and rules, and collaboration with appropriate teammates. Additional traits include emotional stability, reliability, modest ambition, and a personal professional brand.

2. Strong Execution

Execution consists of planning, doing with feedback, and reflecting on results.

2.1 Planning – Goal, Strategy, Blueprint

Clarify the goal, devise a strategy, and outline a concrete solution. The “Golden Circle” (Why → How → What) helps uncover the underlying purpose before work begins.

2.2 Execution – Feedback, Rhythm, Persistence

Maintain regular feedback loops, a steady work rhythm, and persistence through obstacles. Example: a team leader reports progress and issues to superiors continuously to keep visibility and control.

2.3 Delivery – Results, Reflection, Knowledge Consolidation

Produce concrete outcomes and conduct a post‑mortem. Distinguish final results (meeting deadlines, communicating delays) from intermediate checkpoints. Apply the PDCA cycle (Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act) to embed learnings into repeatable processes.

3. Problem Terminator

3.1 Discover Problems

Typical sources: external user feedback, internal complaints, 1‑on‑1 or performance conversations, automated quality reports, system alerts, data anomalies, and team morale signals.

3.2 Solve Problems – Six‑Step Process

Analyze the root cause; use tools such as the Golden Circle to dig deeper.

Gather diverse solution ideas from peers, industry cases, or literature.

Evaluate alternatives with weighted criteria and scoring.

Perform risk analysis and define mitigation measures.

Implement the selected solution.

Assess outcomes, conduct a retrospective, and capture lessons.

4. Dive Into the Field

Effective managers engage directly with the work environment, helping teammates overcome obstacles and building trust through hands‑on involvement.

5. Lifelong Learning

Three pillars sustain continuous growth: a clear upward direction, a broad perspective with independent thinking, and persistent effort. Lifelong learning is an attitude of humility, long‑term value orientation, and curiosity‑driven inquiry.