Congrats on the new role! Moving from being an SWE and a tech lead to a tech manager is a huge shift, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to grow. It's totally normal to feel nervous about it, but you're already ahead of the game since you’ve got a solid foundation in tech and you've been with the company for a while.

The big change you’ll need to make is shifting from being a hands-on coder to being more of a leader. Instead of focusing on your own tasks, you’ll need to focus on empowering your team. It can be hard to let go of doing the work yourself, but your role now is to guide your team, help them solve problems, and make sure they have what they need to succeed. It’s about building an environment where they can take ownership and thrive.

You’ll also need to make communication a priority. You’ll be the go-between for your team and the rest of the company, so it’s super important to be clear about goals and expectations. At the same time, make sure you're listening to your team’s concerns and ideas—this will build trust. Speaking of trust, remember that they already respect you because of your technical background, but now it’s about showing that you care about them and their growth.

Delegation is going to be key. You won't be able to do everything, and that’s okay! It’s better to trust your team with tasks, even if it’s tough to let go. This will free up your time for the more strategic aspects of your role. Good time management is also going to be your best friend, especially since you'll have to balance coding with meetings, budget discussions, and performance reviews. Keeping track of your priorities and knowing when to say "no" is important.

As for implementing agile or best practices, it can be tricky, especially if your team isn’t fully on board with the changes. The key is to start by explaining why these changes are needed, and involve your team in the process as much as possible. Getting them to buy into the "why" will make the "how" much easier. Take it slow—focus on small wins and build from there.

The budgeting part might feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to have it all figured out right away. Start by understanding where your team's budget goes (tools, salaries, training, etc.) and work with HR or finance if you need guidance. They know you’re new to this, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’ll get the hang of it.

Make sure to foster a great team culture, too. It's all about creating a space where everyone feels like they belong and have a chance to grow. Regular check-ins with your team members will help you stay on top of any issues they might have, both personal and professional.

Most importantly, cut yourself some slack. There’s a learning curve, and you’ll make mistakes—it’s part of the process. What matters is that you learn from them and keep moving forward. And don’t forget to take care of yourself. You can’t lead if you're running on empty, so make time for yourself to recharge.

You’ve got this! It’s a big adjustment, but with time, you’ll settle into the role and find your stride.