A really good tech lead will manage <i>you</i> by telling you &quot;do it this way or find another job&quot;, but will manage the more sensitive members of the team by gently suggesting what they might want to do, and might manage the more technically-minded members of the team by pointing out the concrete pros and cons of an approach.<p>The point is that different people need to be managed in different ways.  You might want clear direction.  I will quit if told &quot;do it this way or find another job&quot;.  The best managers will interact with you in the ways that get the most out of you, while interacting with me in the ways that get the most out of me.  If we were to compare notes, it&#x27;s doubtful we&#x27;d believe we had the same manager.