Apply these three crucial elements when leading your tech docs team and you will succeed.

Technical writers possess unique attributes that make them different. Their inquisitive nature, coupled with an in-depth understanding of products and processes, empowers them to pioneer innovative approaches consistently. Their insights and recommendations must be not only considered but also actively integrated into the fabric of technical writing endeavors.

Many traditional approaches to leadership don’t work when it comes to leading tech docs teams for three key reasons:

• Tech docs teams are different from other teams.
• Tech docs teams work better when you respect their “Flow.”
• Traditional hierarchy-based leadership is ineffective with technical writers and other technically oriented individuals.

Understand the nature of the tribe

Understanding tech docs teams means grasping their individual nature, values, attitudes, and behaviors. It’s essential to comprehend group dynamics within technical teams, considering that most technical work happens in groups. It’s, therefore, necessary to understand the nature of the tech writers’ tribe.

Technical writers and highly technical individuals are passionate about reason and fueled by intense emotion. To them, reason equals knowledge, certainty, correctness, and safety. Neglecting to understand your team’s individual nature sets the stage for failure. You must delve into their values, attitudes, and behaviors and comprehend group dynamics, which applies to other technical worker groups as well.

Respect the “Flow” state

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a prominent psychologist at the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, coined the word “flow.” Flow occurs when high skill meets a challenging task, resulting in effortless productivity and deep engagement. Csikszentmihalyi believes that flow, not mere happiness, leads to life excellence.

In a state of flow, one’s focus intensifies, mental energy is all-consuming, distractions fade, and self-awareness recedes. Time distorts as hours pass in minutes. Total immersion in both physical and mental faculties makes every action intrinsically rewarding, validating life at its peak. This concept of “flow” is a valuable reminder of the importance of aligning skills and challenges to achieve a state of optimal focus and productivity.

Managers can unintentionally interrupt their teammates in various ways, often without realizing the impact on productivity and morale. Put another way, let your technical writers be happy, and don’t interrupt them unless it’s called for.

Technical work challenges many of our long-held assumptions about hierarchy

Let’s acknowledge that some team members may possess more technical knowledge than the manager. I firmly believe traditional hierarchy-based leadership doesn’t always work for technical writers and other highly technical roles. Technical workers often apply academic and technical meritocracy to all aspects of life.

In technical documentation teams, authority is not just about official power; it’s about influence and respect. Tech-savvy individuals tend to create their own hierarchies based on knowledge and merit. Leadership often involves a technical leader (usually a senior team member, usually your MVP), distinct from the manager.

A technical leader may lack decision-making authority but wields significant influence over group members. Seek advice from these influential, charismatic, technical leaders. You’ll often find that they have attracted the respect of their peers for a good reason, including their technical brilliance and sometimes their organizational insight.

I know that these three key elements will not suffice to succeed when leading and managing a tech docs team (or any other technical team, for that matter). However, integrating these points into your leadership approach increases your chances of success.

I appreciate your time and attention in reading this modest contribution to tech docs management. I trust that you have found this article valuable and anticipate that it will contribute to the enhancement of your team’s productivity and the overall work environment.