I just finished the first week as the Senior Web Developer for our team at Critical Mass. Wow. Hard Work. My running joke for the week has been "Whos bright idea was it to take on this job?" This has been an especially difficult week to begin this kind of role: a major project was going live (more on this later) and there was a new employee to take care of. It was very much an out-of-the-pot-and-fat-into-the-fire situation! Luckily for me, the "new" employee has worked there before, and is already quite skilled and knowledgeable, so I didn't really need to hold his hand. On top of that, the already established team leads are nothing but top-freaking-notch, so they were able to help this greenhorn along.

I've already identified the various skill sets I am lacking, and need to improve on. I don't want to fall into the world of management, turning into that balding guy with glasses on the C-Train, reading "Improve your personal power" on his blackberry, whilst listening to Tony Robbins on his MP3 player. Yeuch.

One of the things that has really opened my eyes with this promotion is how I view management culture in general, and all the implicit assumptions I have about workplace culture. It's all very turgid and confused, but the fundamental crux of this introspection is that I need to be enough of a leader to actually lead, but I also need to step back and let the team members shine through as well. It's a whole different level of chainsaw juggling. I plan on taking a very Taoist lead-from-behind style of leadership.

This is such an awesomely amazing opportunity for me to grow as a person—both personally and professionally. I am ready.