Attributes of Influential Software Developers
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Transcript of Attributes of Influential Software Developers
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Development is More than Just Coding!
Pamela DelaneyTechnical Staff
Attributes of Influential Software Developers
Key Questions
Why do some technically skilled people have tremendous organizational influence?
Why are they the go-to people in crunch situations when others with equal (or better) technical skills have little or no influence and are passed over?
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University Defined Skills for Success …
Typical CS/CE Undergraduate Degree– 60% technology, engineering– 30% math, physics, humanities, social science– 10% communication, speech, language
Typically Freshman level general education coursesUniversities’ curricula place little or no emphasis
on teamwork, writing, presentation and social skills. These are “not important”.
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Is this a problem for a technical career?
Definitions for nerd and geek include …– “socially impaired” – “socially awkward”– “have non-mainstream activities, which are
generally highly technical”The implication is that highly technical people are
smart but that, as a group, they are thought to have poor social / communication skills.
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Assertion …
The difference between the technical experts with influence and those without is their– Leadership skills– People skills– Communication skills
What is it that influential people do that is so special?
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1. They Treat Everyone As A Customer
Focus – Listen & ask
questionsAuthority
– Take ownership– No drama– Customer is assured
that a solution will be found
Communicate– Share knowledge– Mentor colleagues and
customers– Excellent written and oral
communication skills– Keep team members
informed– Communicate effectively
with technical and non-technical audiences
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2. They are Team Players
Flexible– Take on problems outside
their expertise and grow skills as needed for the sake of the team
Respectful– Attend on-time and engage
in meetings– Relaxed body language– Inclusive oral language– Work with anyone!– Courteous
Conflict Resolution Specialists– Open to new approaches– Accept different
viewpoints– Re-evaluate decisions
when new data are available
– Can compromise
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3. They Push the Envelope
Strategic Thinkers Technically current!
– Understand the business– Understand upcoming products and propose changes for better quality
or maintenance or for future feature support Drive change
– Different kernel, compiler, source archival tool, other ideas, … Go beyond their job
– Develop tools / processes that benefit in-house needs– Specialized tools for debug, visualization of configuration, etc.
Unsatisfied with the status quo, they learn to work the system to drive improvement
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Influence / Leadership DetractorsPoor communication skills
– Cannot work with customersPoor people skills
– Why work with someone who is difficult?– Why work with his or her company?
Individualistic, not aTeam Contributor– Negatively affects team dynamics
Non-Leader by Choice– Do not want the responsibility– Won’t assume risk
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Assertion …
People skills and leadership skills are the difference between those with influence and those without, given equal technical abilities.
Building influence requires that you ….
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Stay Technically Current
Technical expertise is necessary– Learn your business and your product(s)
External - customer perspective Internal – code, builds, distribution, ….
– Find out what is important to your companyRead promotion announcements
– “drive for results”, “executes without drama” and “builds a terrific team” ….
Understand company goals/missionMake continual learning part of your daily routine!
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Build Social / Teamwork Skills
Treat the social aspect of your job as seriously as you treat the technical aspect.– Read– Take leadership courses– Take classes on conflict resolution– Build a network
Get to know your colleaguesBe a Mentor / Get a Mentor
– Ask for feedback– Say Yes! when someone needs help.
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Ashton Kutcher’s comments to a group of teenage girls…(Aug, 2013) is a perfect business motto:
“Be Smart, be Thoughtful & be Generous”
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The B’s (Julie Parrish, CMO NetApp)
Be Nice Echoed by Sandberg in Lean In.
Be Flexible Try new things, step out of your comfort zone, trust your abilities.
Be Good at your Job Be a technical expert! Forward thinker! Understand your business.
Be Present Don’t just show up, engage! Participate & prepare for meetings, be on time, bring ideas to the table, make opportunities. (See Lean In)
Be Good at Conflict Resolution
Its all about teamwork. Learn to manage conflict to get the best from the team.
Be Relaxed with Organizational Change
Change happens. Be supportive, look for the silver lining.
Be Helpful Re: Kutcher, Re: Sandberg. Success is a team effort
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Summary
Technical skills alone will be enough to land a job and to start climbing a technical ladder, but they are not enough to develop influence and may not be enough to keep a job.– Work as hard on your communication / people skills
as you do on your technical skills.– Work hard on your technical skills to grow expertise
and remain current– Have confidence in your abilities to do the unknown.
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