As I was tidying up my digital life this weekend, I stumbled upon a relic from my university days—a third-year project titled “Flexible Mindmaps.” Written in Java, this software was designed to merge multiple mindmaps, creating new, interconnected webs of ideas based on shared concepts and commonalities. The program would scan through each mindmap, using dictionaries and thesaurus to identify and suggest overlapping themes.
Looking back at this project now, with the perspective of years spent in the tech industry, I can’t help but admire at how it symbolised the essence of abstract thinking I used for many years following. If I were to tackle this project today, I’d be intrigued to see how AI could enhance its capabilities. But more than that, this rediscovery got me thinking about the broader importance of abstract thinking and cross-industry insights in our field, especially as we transition from hands-on engineering roles to leadership positions.
If you’re looking at moving into a leadership role like Engineering Manager or CTO, you might feel like you’re stepping into unfamiliar territory. But what if I told you that the algorithms and concepts you’ve worked with for years could be your secret weapon in leadership?
🧠The Power of Abstract Thinking in Tech Leadership
In my journey from backend developer to agency owner to CTO (particularly when working with Product Information), I’ve found that the ability to think abstractly—to see patterns and draw connections between seemingly unrelated concepts—has been invaluable. This skill, which we often use in solving complex coding problems, can be a powerful tool in navigating the challenges of tech leadership.
Let’s explore this idea using a concept familiar to many of us in computer science: the Canny edge detection algorithm.
Canny Edge Detection: A Deep Dive 🔍
Before abstracting this algorithm into a leadership framework, let’s refresh our understanding of Canny edge detection. Developed by John F. Canny in 1986, this algorithm is widely used in image processing to detect a wide range of image edges.
Here’s how it works, step by step:
Gaussian filtering: The algorithm starts by applying a Gaussian filter to smooth the image, reducing noise to prevent false edges from being detected.
Gradient calculation: Then it calculates the image’s intensity gradients using a pair of 3x3 convolution masks, one for horizontal changes and one for vertical changes.
Non-maximum suppression: This step thins out the edges. For each pixel, the algorithm checks if it’s a local maximum in its edge direction. If not, it’s suppressed.
Double threshold: The algorithm then applies two thresholds: a high threshold for strong edges and a low threshold for weak edges.
Edge tracking by hysteresis: Finally, the algorithm examines the weak edges. If they’re connected to strong edges, they’re accepted as part of the edge. Otherwise, they’re suppressed.
The result is a binary image with crisp, thin edges, effectively highlighting the significant features in the original image.
Abstracting Canny: A Blueprint for Tech Leadership 📊
Now, let’s take this technical process and abstract it into a framework for leadership in tech:
1. Filtering the Noise 🎧
As Gaussian filtering smooths an image, effective leadership means filtering out distractions and focusing on key information. It’s easy to get bogged down in day-to-day fluctuations of detail; our job is to smooth out these fluctuations and focus on the signal, not the noise.
2. Identifying Areas of Change 📈
The gradient calculation in Canny edge detection finds areas of significant change in the image. Similarly, leadership requires recognising areas of significant change or opportunity. Where are the biggest shifts happening? What emerging trends could be disruptive?
3. Focusing on What Matters 🎯
Non-maximum suppression in the algorithm preserves the strongest edges while suppressing weaker ones. In other words, focus on the most impactful initiatives and ideas as a leader. Not every project can be a priority. Your role is to identify and champion the initiatives that will impact your team and organisation.
4. Setting Clear Criteria 📏
The double threshold in Canny edge detection helps distinguish between strong and weak edges. In leadership, this translates to setting clear criteria for decision-making and prioritisation. What constitutes a must-do initiative versus a nice-to-have? Clear criteria help you make consistent, justifiable decisions.
5. Connecting the Dots 🔗
Edge tracking by hysteresis in the algorithm connects strong edges to weak ones, creating a coherent image. In leadership, this means ensuring that all your initiatives align with larger strategic goals. Every project and every decision should connect to your overarching strategy, creating a coherent big picture.
Applying the Canny Leadership Framework in Practice 💼
Let’s explore how this framework might apply in real-world tech leadership scenarios:
Prioritising Product Features
When faced with a backlog full of feature requests, use your ‘noise reduction’ skills to filter out the less impactful ideas and focus on what truly matters to your users and business goals. This approach can help prevent feature bloat, a concept I discussed in The Seven Deadly Signs of Tech Debt.
Identifying Market Trends
Apply your ability to spot significant changes (like gradient calculation) to identify emerging trends before they become useless hindsight decisions. This foresight can give your team a competitive edge.
Resource Allocation
As non-maximum suppression preserves the strongest edges, focus your team’s efforts on the projects with the biggest impact rather than spreading resources too thin; for instance, it’s more effective to have everyone at 60-70% capacity than 100% when your team is cross-functional.
Setting Goals
Use the concept of double thresholding to set clear Objectives and Key Results. Distinguish between ‘strong edge’ must-achieve objectives and ‘weak edge’ stretch goals. This clarity can significantly improve team focus and performance.
Strategic Alignment
Ensure that every team’s efforts are connected to and supportive of the overall company strategy, just as edge tracking connects strong edges to create a coherent image. This alignment is key to achieving long-term success.
Embracing Your Technical Background in Leadership 🤗
When you step into a leadership role, remember that your technical background is not something to be left behind but a unique perspective to be leveraged. By thinking abstractly about the technical concepts you know well, you can:
Bridge the gap between technical and business thinking.
Communicate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders using familiar analogies.
Approach leadership challenges with the same analytical rigour you apply to technical problems.
Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging your team to think across domains
Conclusion: The Engineer’s Advantage in Leadership 🚀
The transition from engineer to leader doesn’t mean abandoning your technical roots. Instead, it’s about abstracting the principles you know so well and applying them to a new domain. Your deep understanding of algorithms, systems thinking, and problem-solving gives you a unique advantage in leadership roles.
So, the next time you’re faced with a challenging leadership decision, don’t be afraid to think like an engineer. Ask yourself: “What does this remind me of? What technical concept could help me understand this better?” You might be surprised at the insights you uncover.
Remember, great tech leaders aren’t just managers – they’re translators, able to bridge the gap between the technical and business worlds. And with your background, you’re perfectly positioned to do just that.
Cover Image By Ash Edmonds on Unsplash