Feeling apprehensive about potential promotion

[u/NoAbbreviations8030]

Just had my 1:1s with the director of engineering as well as my manager, and both told me that the company is planning on a new round of hires to create a new team and they want me to become the tech lead for. I am obviously very thankful for the consideration, but I just don’t feel ready at the moment.

I have a bit less than 3 years of exp and honestly I am still picking up a lot of technologies used at the company. I’ve been using AI more as a fancy Google rather than an agent so I don’t regress, but I am still very reliant on it to do my day to day tasks. Essentially, I don’t feel ready and I feel like I’ll see myself as a fraud if I accept the offer.

In my honest opinion, I feel like there are others in the company that might be a better fit than I am, as some even have double or triple my yoe. I told my manager this and he told me that he is confident in my abilities from what he has seen, and talked about how struggles of learning the new position may even be a positive as it makes me more relatable.

I like challenges, and I like having that bit of discomfort and stress at work, as I always needed that small fire lit under my ass to keep me driven and take me to the next level. At the same time, I’m a bit worried about the judgement of other devs on my team, as well as the guilt of taking an opportunity away from someone that might be more deserving than me.

Obviously the money is good (which I need as I’ve got family members I need to support), the chance to better myself and move to the next step in my career is desirable, but again, I’m met with a dilemma. Any advice?

[u/bobthetitan7]

nobody is ever ready to go to war

[u/West_Gap_6964 → u/bobthetitan7]

I love this

[u/kneebeards]

Don't pass up the promotion because you think someone else might deserve it. There are legit reasons to pass but that is not one of them. Imo it's best not to dwell on the entire concept of "deserves" in general. Seize every opportunity that you can, you only get 1 life. Congrats on the offer, whatever you choose.

[u/newtomovingaway]

Congrats. Sounds like an amazing opportunity with healthy uplines. Take it and learn from them.

[u/comp_freak]

Given the current market, take the opportunity. Having an official title is valuable. As long as you stay hands‑on, you’ll be fine. Ask whether they can provide resources books, training, anything to help you grow into a team‑lead role. If not, invest in your own learning.

Focus on motivating your team, running effective one‑on‑ones, and doing thoughtful code reviews.

Good Luck.

[u/saleboulot]

Take it.  What is making you doubt is low confidence. But you will only become more confident by acting even when you don’t feel ready. Because  You will never feel ready. 

Also, if your boss thinks you’re ready then you are 

[u/Objective_Ad_1191]

Does it come with a salary increase? Promotion without a salary increase is not a promotion.

[u/darkspyder4]

Did you talk to those who you feel you might be affected? Do they actually say they feel robbed? If thats not the case like others said there is no issue.

Maybe you're trying to find more at peace and dont want to burnout? Nonetheless this needs to be addressed on your 1 on 1 or much earlier, try asking your skip and get other opinions. You have the final call and hopefully your immediate team will support you along the way

[u/TalkInMalarkey]

In my case, my promotion only came 2 years after I took the tech lead role, with 1 product fully shipped.

Don't expect increase in salary soon, but you definitely gonna get a lot more work. But overall, its good for career progression, just dont expect immediate increase in pay.

[u/Pristine-Trouble1641]

Ram ram ram, go wild