In my last yearly retrospect, I couldn’t have predicted that 2021 would be even more difficult than 2020 (and I know this might be just speaking for myself). Regardless, there’s always a bright side to every challenge, and more often than not, it involves growth and learning. This year was no exception. Through all the…
Tag: managing software teams
Asynchronous Communication Builds Respect and Trust
My former boss did not have Skype or any similar software installed on his PC. He did not use instant messaging or chat. E-mails were enough for most communications – on the other hand, if he needed something urgent, he’d call you up on your phone or talk to you face to face. I admired…
Why “Coder’s Rush” Is A Thing
Recently, I finally got a chance to sit down and relearn to code. It’s been a goal of mine for a while, going back to the holiday break last December, but that unfortunately didn’t happen then. When the quarantine started, I made it a goal again. Well, I finally started getting into it in the…
Can We Measure Software Developer Productivity?
Short answer: I don’t know. Before you move on though, I’d like to say that “I don’t know” here means that I know from personal experience that trying to measure a software developer’s productivity rarely (or never) ends well. However, I also acknowledge that, historically, there have been valiant efforts that worked to some extent,…
The Endless Tension Between “Possible” and “Necessary”
Making schedules is boring. Making roadmaps, just a little bit more exciting (extra points for being actually a part of “making something”, as opposed to just predicting how “making something” happens). In management, however, there’s a huge sense of fulfillment when you’re able to elevate these into an artform. I came across this great article…
Why Is Delegation So Hard?
Anyone who’s had to coach a new leader or a manager can probably relate. Delegation is the primary thing I’ve seen new leaders struggle with. The good thing is, most everyone is aware of their struggle with this. The unfortunate thing is, hardly anyone has an answer to how it might work. I’ve struggled with…