How to master the four staff archetypes and elevate your impact

The four staff archetypes (tech lead, architect, solver, right hand) each require different combinations of technical and leadership skills

Active and passive listening are critical skills across all archetypes - being able to identify patterns, understand team dynamics, and connect different parts of the organization

The solver archetype requires:

• An open mind and critical thinking skills
• Ability to diagnose root causes of complex problems
• Systems thinking approach rather than just focusing on code
• Strong collaboration skills to work with teams

The architect archetype involves:

• Building credibility through hands-on technical expertise
• Foreseeing potential issues in architecture decisions
• Understanding both technical and organizational systems
• Protecting calendar time for deep technical work

The right hand archetype focuses on:

• Building bridges between executives and engineering teams
• Understanding business needs and translating to technical requirements
• Creating trust through social connections
• Borrowing authority rather than having direct reports

Key strategies for success:

• Focus on areas that align with your natural strengths and interests
• Ask for help and learn from other staff engineers
• Build credibility through proof-of-concepts and technical expertise
• Protect time for deep work and system-level thinking
• Develop both technical and interpersonal skills

Computer science degrees are not mandatory - experience solving complex problems and leadership abilities are more important than formal education

System thinking skills help see beyond immediate technical problems to understand broader organizational impacts

Need to balance hands-on technical work with enabling and growing other engineers rather than doing everything yourself

Success requires finding the right archetype fit based on your skills, interests and the organization’s needs