What is the root cause of a 10x engineer? Are “10x Engineers” mythical creatures that exist only in our imagination or are they real? Read More
10x Engineer Root Cause
New Hires
New hires present the best opportunityto put employees on their path to achieve their greatest potential. There are three very impactful people in determining the joy, success and fulfillment an employee finds in their job… Read More
Building Bridges
This “Building Bridges“ question is from my list of interview questions I for a Product Manager role. However, it can also be used for an Engineering leadership role… If, as a product manager, you wanted to have engineering build a bridge, how would you convey that to engineering? If it’s an engineering manager or director… Read More
Radical Candor
Radical Candor is an overlooked asset in creating high-performance teams when that candor is built upon a foundation of trust. I’ve discovered that evoking transformation can often require radical candor. However, when properly applied, the transformation can resemble a metamorphosis. Read More
Data: Trust but Clarify
Trust but Clarify is a valuable practice often overlooked in analyzing data. We may follow best practices for bringing the most value to customers. Yet, we may still go awry if we simply follow principle and trust completely what the data is telling us. In his book, The Lean Startup, Eric Ries writes about the… Read More
Talent Code Applied
In Talent Code, Daniel Coyle describes deep learning via short repetitions, feedback loops. I have applied this approach in coaching sports and in business. Read More
The Dark Side of Agile
Along with the virtues of Agile Software Development also can come some destructive downsides that can erode trust and effectiveness within your company culture. I recently attended a 3-day Scrum certification class where the founder of the particular methodology was the instructor. He insisted that managers not participate in standup meetings, planning meetings, grooming sessions,… Read More
Death Crawl
Lessons from the inspirational Death Crawl scene of Facing the Giants are applicable to various forms of leadership. Read More
Different Stokes for Different Folks
Different Stokes for Different Folks – which version of Agile to apply based on team, project and situation. Read More
Handling Interrupts
Handling interrupts can be a draining burden for any team that is responsible for existing systems. If that team is also iterating on those systems to enhance and/or improve them, this impacts the ability to plan. Read More
Lean Staffing – It’s about the People
The notion of Lean Staffing is best paired with the concept of The Lean Startup. He describes it in his book The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. Eric Ries speaks of startup lessons learned at IMVU and from ther companies he came to know afterwards including Intuit.… Read More
Start with Trust
Start with trust to set the foundations of a relationships when a new person joins your team. The first impression you make on them sets the foundation for the rest of your journey together. Read More
The Room Where it Happens
As leaders, much of the magic happens in the one-on-one conversations either in the privacy of a physical of virtual room (think Skype or Zoom) or on a walk-about as a more neutral setting and where you also benefit from the energy of being in Motion. These conversations should sometimes be as non-threatening as a… Read More
Perspectives
Perspectives are helpful when facing a big, life decision with multiple aspects at play. Read More
Embrace the Challenge
After riding the dot com wave as VP, Engineering for the fastest growing software company on NASDAQ, I decided to embrace the challenge to give back by getting my teaching credentials at San Jose State. I walked by this statue commemorating Tommie Smith and John Carlos’ brave protest at the 1968 Olympics on my way… Read More
Orange Observations
I devised this Orange Observations exercise in my efforts to inspire my students to be observant. Read More
Acknowledgement
Telling someone that they are amazing, naturally creative, resourceful and whole with unbounded potential is NOT an acknowledgement. Read More
Heart Rate Meditation
There are advantages for mind, body and soul to being calm oneself to be more present and aware. Much of the guidance on meditation starts with focusing on the breath. I found it to be more effective to practice Heart Rate Meditation by focusing via direct feedback. Also, a key to consciously changing your heart… Read More
Building Collaborative Groups with Broken Squares
In his book The Culture Code – The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups, Daniel Coyle refers to a competition at Stanford where business students in university squared off against kindergartners. The four-person teams had to beat the clock and build a tower using uncooked spaghetti, tape and string with a marshmallow on top. You would… Read More