One More FeatureSales comes to engineering with this urgent demand. Feature X is a huge priority. It will unlock untold riches from the customer.Dec 31, 2024Dec 31, 2024
The Brother We Left BehindA little under a hundred years ago, four families landed at Ellis Island.Nov 6, 2024Nov 6, 2024
You Don’t Need Permission To Do Your Job.If micromanagement is so bad, why do so many people ask for it?Sep 20, 20241Sep 20, 20241
The Compiler BugPart 3 of a series of bugs, all answering “What is the worst bug you ever had to track down?”Jun 1, 2024Jun 1, 2024
Leadership Unit TestsManager feedback loops are slow and they are vague. It’s hard to know if you’re doing a good job. How to make it better.May 28, 20245May 28, 20245
The Jackpot GenerationLessons about your career from Matt Damon and the dotCom bubble.Apr 17, 2024Apr 17, 2024
The Debugger BugPart 1 of a series of bugs, all answering “What is the worst bug you ever had to track down?”Mar 7, 2024Mar 7, 2024
Interview Questions for Software Engineers: The Epic Bug HuntLooking back at my favorite interview question for software engineers.Mar 2, 2024Mar 2, 2024
Managers: If you want to promote someone, then do your job.Your inability to persuade others is a *you* problem.Feb 23, 20241Feb 23, 20241
The Case For Waste (in Tech)Today we’re going to talk about one of the greatest traps that software engineering teams need to overcome: Efficiency.Feb 2, 2024Feb 2, 2024
Strategic InaccuracyThe goal is to position yourself or your team or your company such that when the future becomes clear, you’re already half way there.Dec 26, 20231Dec 26, 20231
The Five Minute Guide to Useful Unit Tests.Engineers will argue for ages about what a “unit of work” really is, but it doesn’t matter at all.Nov 30, 2023Nov 30, 2023
The King and the StonemasonHow to explain deceptively difficult parts of your job to someone who has no idea how to do your job.Oct 12, 20232Oct 12, 20232
Published inBetter ProgrammingThe Engineer Bouquet: Making a Team Where People Can GrowCareer ladders are a poor model for personal growth. People don’t take pre-defined steps, and they never go in a straight line.Sep 23, 2023Sep 23, 2023
The First Team ParadoxThe First Team mindset is meant to keep leaders focused on results, yet undermines their ability to deliver them.Aug 16, 20233Aug 16, 20233
Simple and Difficult: Earning Trust in the WorkplaceEveryone earns trust in the workplace. Not everyone does it well. Here’s how you can do better.Jul 9, 20231Jul 9, 20231
The Anti-Hero PhotoThree reasons I don’t use professional artists for my articles.Jun 23, 2023Jun 23, 2023
