The Communicator's Advantage
Good communication is often hailed as a cornerstone of effective teamwork and organizational success.
·
5 min read
Newsletter
My growing collection of insights on leading through influence, communication, and systems thinking in technology organizations.
Sign up nowLatest Posts
A Case for Not Assuming Positive Intent
For the longest time, we’ve been taught to “Assume Positive Intent,” a mantra that encourages us to believe others act in good faith and to suppress the reflexivity of judgment of others when they act in a way that is counter to our own behaviors or values.
·
5 min read
Lean Meetings
Meetings are necessary in all businesses, but by taking some guidance from systems thinking and Lean manufacturing, you can make sure you only hold those that are important and effective.
·
5 min read
Make Yourself Obsolete: Your Team Will Thank You
To make space for new leaders to grow, although it may seem counterintuitive and even a bit scary, you must start employing strategies to make yourself obsolete. Finding yourself solving the same problems over and over again is an indication your team isn’t growing to solve these problems.
·
5 min read
Tech Lead Co-Pilots
When tech leads and product managers work as one, avenues for compromise, pushback, and the emergence of creative strategies are opened. Diverse perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking will be welcomed as everyone feels comfortable to participate, and problem-solving becomes a true team effort.
·
3 min read
Sparring Partners
In the age of the “knowledge worker” so much of our ability to succeed is dependent on the active exchange of ideas. This is similar to having a “sparring partner” in martial arts or boxing — and being good in that role takes discipline and practice even if you are not landing any kicks or punches.
·
3 min read
Hey Interviewers: What Is Your Story?
While learning about job candidates’ capabilities is certainly important, so, too, is providing them with a glimpse into who you are, as well as what it’s like to be a member of the team and what the company is all about. This style of communication is apt to be a boon to your hiring efforts.
·
3 min read
Demo Day
The demo is a quintessential component for enabling a team to tell their story and outwardly represent their team’s culture and achievements. Yet, so many teams approach their demo reactively and lose this valuable opportunity.
·
5 min read
The Intuition Gap
Beneath the pressure all engineering leaders face to “move faster” are a set of assumptions held by others. These assumptions are instinctive and based on an intuition that is deeply personal to every individual. As leaders, it is our responsibility to bridge this gap.
·
4 min read
