In the tech world, having a good relationship with developers is vital. That's where developer relations (DevRel) come in. DevRel teams ensure developers are happy and promote a company's products and services. But things can go wrong when you put leaders without experience in DevRel, in charge of DevRel teams.

In this post, we'll discuss the good, bad, and ugly of inexperienced leadership in DevRel. We'll cover how new leaders can bring fresh ideas to the table, the problems they might run into, and the consequences of bad leadership. The bottom line is inexperienced leadership in DevRel can be a real problem. But if you're aware of the risks and have a plan, you can avoid disaster.

The Good

Okay, so there are some upsides to having inexperienced leaders in DevRel. One of the biggest is that they can bring fresh ideas to the table. They may have a different level of industry knowledge than more experienced leaders, but they can still come up with new solutions to problems.

Another plus is that new leaders can help make the DevRel team more diverse. A mix of experienced and inexperienced leaders can bring a balance of perspectives and lead to a more inclusive and innovative environment. And, if the DevRel team is more diverse, they'll likely be able to understand and serve a diverse group of developers.

In addition, new leaders can bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the DevRel team. They may be more willing to take risks and try new things, which can benefit the team and the company.

Generally, inexperienced leaders will face challenges but can also bring value to the DevRel team and the company. And remember, everyone has to start somewhere. With the proper training and support, inexperienced leaders can become influential leaders.

The Bad

While inexperienced leadership in DevRel can have some positive benefits, it can lead to several challenges and obstacles. One of the biggest challenges that inexperienced leaders may face is a need for more industry knowledge and experience. This can make it difficult for them to navigate the complex and ever-changing world of developer relations. They may need to be better familiar with industry best practices to understand the community's needs and pain points.

The need for more communication skills is another challenge. Inexperienced leaders may need to communicate more effectively with the developer community or the rest of the team. Having the proper voice with the developer community is essential - being authentic is vital. Lacking the communication skills to be authentic can ultimately result in poor outcomes for the company.

Along with these challenges, inexperienced leaders may need more technical skills to communicate and promote the company's products and services to developers. This can make it difficult for the DevRel team to effectively promote the company's products and services to developers, resulting in poor product adoption and a loss of revenue for the company.

Inexperienced leadership in DevRel can lead to many challenges and obstacles. It's essential to be aware of these potential pitfalls and have a plan to mitigate them. This may include providing additional training, support, and mentorship to inexperienced leaders to help them overcome these challenges and become influential leaders in the future.

The Ugly

The consequences of inexperienced leadership in DevRel can be severe, leading to some adverse outcomes for the developer community and the company. One of the most significant issues that can arise is a loss of developer trust.

Developers rely on the DevRel team to provide accurate and reliable information about the company's products and services. If the leader is equipped to handle their role, they may give inaccurate or misleading information, which can erode trust and lead to a loss of developers.

Poor product adoption is another potential outcome of inadequate leadership. If the DevRel team is responsible for product evangelism, then developers are an important target market for the company. If the leader can authentically communicate the value of the products and services, it may lead to better adoption and ultimately result in a loss of revenue for the company.

Leadership can also lead to a lack of alignment within the DevRel team and the broader company. If the leader can't effectively communicate the company's goals and objectives, it can lead to a lack of clarity and direction within the team. This can lead to a lack of productivity and ultimately result in a poor outcome for the company.

Moreover, inexperienced leadership can lead to a lack of motivation, burnout, and a high turnover rate among the team members, further deteriorating the team's overall performance.

It is crucial to have a solid leadership team in place to ensure the success of the DevRel program. Poor leadership can disastrously impact the developer community and the company. It's crucial to have a good leadership training and support program in place to ensure that inexperienced leaders are equipped to handle their roles effectively.

Conclusion

DevRel is an essential aspect of the tech industry, and it's vital to have a good relationship with developers. However, inexperienced leadership in DevRel can lead to several challenges and negative consequences. It's helpful to be mindful of these issues and prepare yourself for them ahead of time.

While inexperienced leaders can bring fresh ideas, diversity, and energy to the DevRel team, they may also need more industry knowledge, communication, and technical skills. This can lead to poor product adoption, lack of alignment within the team, and loss of trust from the developer community.

To ensure the DevRel program's success, a solid leadership team must be in place. With proper experience, training, and support, inexperienced leaders can become influential leaders and avoid disastrous results.