How to Be a QA Lead
A Journey of Growth, Critical Thinking, Ownership, and Leadership
There’s no fixed formula for becoming a QA Lead. Every journey is different, depending on your company, team, and personal growth. However, there are some simple ideas that can help guide you.
This article is based on my experiences and feedback I’ve received from my colleagues. It covers four important areas: critical thinking, growth mindset, ownership, and leadership. Along with practical examples, it also includes a takeaway section with clear action points you can follow.
1. Practice Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is about asking the right questions, solving problems, and thinking ahead. It’s the foundation of great testing and leadership.
How to Practice Critical Thinking
💡 Key Concept: Critical thinking is asking “Why” and “What if” at every step.
Ask “Why” and “What If” Questions
Don’t just follow instructions—think about the reasons behind your tasks.
Why is this feature important for the user?
What if this feature doesn’t work?
Are there hidden risks or edge cases we haven’t considered?
Example: If you’re testing a payment system, ask:
What happens if the network fails during a transaction?
What if the user enters incorrect payment details multiple times?
These questions help uncover potential risks before they become real problems.
Break Down Complex Problems
Big problems can feel overwhelming. Break them into smaller parts and solve them step by step.
Example: If a feature fails in multiple places, investigate each issue separately to find the root cause.
Analyze Risks and Prioritize
Not all risks are equal. Learn to identify the most critical ones and focus on those first.
Example: If a feature affects core functionality, test it thoroughly before focusing on less important areas.
Look Beyond the Obvious
Good testers don’t just check if something works—they explore how it can fail. Think creatively and try scenarios others might not consider.
Example: What happens if a user pastes a huge amount of text into a login field?
Critical thinking helps you deliver better results and shows others that you think deeply about your work.
2. Develop a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset means believing that you can improve with effort and learning. It’s about being open to challenges and seeing them as opportunities.
How to Build a Growth Mindset
Be Open to Learning
Stay curious and keep learning new tools, skills, and techniques.
Example: If you’re not familiar with a testing tool, take the time to explore it, even if it feels challenging at first.
Accept Feedback
Feedback is a chance to grow. Listen carefully, even if it’s critical, and use it to improve.
Example: If someone suggests a better way to write test cases, try it and see how it works.
Take on New Challenges
Step out of your comfort zone and try new things.
Example: If you’ve never written automation scripts, volunteer to learn and take on a small automation task.
Keep Improving
Every project is an opportunity to do better than before. Reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and what you can improve.
Example: After completing a project, write down lessons learned and apply them to the next one.
A growth mindset helps you adapt to change, learn faster, and stay motivated.
3. Take Ownership
Ownership is about taking responsibility for your work and decisions. It means caring deeply about the quality of what you deliver and going the extra mile when needed.
How to Take Ownership
Care About the Big Picture
Don’t just focus on your tasks—understand how your work fits into the team’s goals and the product’s success.
Example: If you’re testing a feature, think about how it interacts with other features and how it impacts the user experience.
Fix Problems, Not Just Symptoms
Ownership means solving problems at their root, not just addressing the surface issues.
Example: If a bug occurs because of unclear requirements, suggest improving the requirements-gathering process.
Be Proactive
Don’t wait for others to tell you what to do. Take the initiative to identify and solve problems.
Example: If you notice repeated mistakes in test cases, create a checklist or guide to prevent them in the future.
Own Your Mistakes
Nobody is perfect. If you make a mistake, admit it, fix it, and learn from it.
Example: If you miss testing a critical area, acknowledge it and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Taking ownership earns you trust and respect and makes you a dependable team member.
4. Lead by Example
Leadership isn’t about giving orders—it’s about inspiring others and creating an environment where everyone can succeed.
How to Show Leadership
Be Transparent and Honest
Share your thoughts openly, listen to others, and admit when you don’t know something.
Example: If you’re unsure about a requirement, ask for clarification instead of guessing.
Support Your Team
Help your teammates when they’re stuck, share what you know, and celebrate their successes.
Example: If a teammate struggles with a task, offer to guide them or share your approach.
Communicate Clearly
Good leaders make sure everyone understands their ideas and goals.
Example: When reporting a bug, explain its impact clearly so the team can prioritize it correctly.
Encourage Critical Thinking
Ask your team questions that make them think deeply and explore different solutions.
Example: During a meeting, ask, “What do you think could go wrong with this feature?”
Be Resilient in Tough Times
Challenges are part of every project. Stay calm, focus on solutions, and keep the team motivated.
Example: If a deadline is tight, help the team focus on the most critical tasks to deliver the best possible outcome.
Leadership is about lifting others and showing by your actions how to succeed.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key actions to grow your critical thinking, mindset, ownership, and leadership:
Be disciplined and honest in your actions.
Set clear boundaries to maintain focus and balance.
Organize your tasks and priorities effectively.
Communicate clearly and with purpose.
Always ask “Why” and “What if” to think critically.
Keep pushing yourself to take the next step.
Stay open to learning and improving.
Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth.
Take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
Solve problems at their root, not just on the surface.
Take initiative to find and fix issues without being told.
Help your team grow by sharing knowledge and supporting them.
Stay calm and focused during challenges.
Think about the bigger picture, not just your tasks.
Encourage critical thinking in yourself and others.
Conclusion
Becoming a QA Lead is a journey that requires thinking critically, taking responsibility, and helping others grow. Start with yourself: ask thoughtful questions, learn from your mistakes, and keep improving. Then, extend your impact by supporting your team, communicating clearly, and showing others how to think deeply about their work.
Leadership is not about titles—it’s about actions. By following these steps, you can grow into a leader who inspires others and delivers meaningful results.
Take ownership of your journey today, and see how far it takes you!
About This Article
This article was created by me (Deepak) using personal experiences and feedback from colleagues. The ideas, examples, and lessons come from my journey as a QA professional. If you have feedback, I’d love to hear it! 🙂