Software Lead Weekly Software Lead Weekly

Succession Planning: Thinking Through How the Organization Would Function Without You
4 minutes read.

I enjoy reading everything that Will Larson writes. Succession planning can be an interesting practice on multiple levels - not only to understand your role as a leader, but also challenge the way you delegate effectively to your teammates, and the external (to the team) perception people have on your teammates' ability to carry on that ownership. If you're a manager - try it out, and share it with other managers in your organization. Learn from each other, and discuss different tactics on how to create a well-balanced and sustainable team.

Read it later via Instapaper.
Share it via Twitter or email.

"I Run the Innovation Lab. It’s Like We’re a Startup, but Inside a Big Company."
1 minutes read.

My humble effort to help you start the weekend with a smile on your face.

Read it later via Instapaper.
Share it via Twitter or email.

How Your Company Can Support Junior Engineers
4 minutes read.

"Before hiring a new junior engineer, think about your timing. Would you have time to mentor this engineer?" -- pick a few features from the backlog that would be a good start (I usually like to pick from next quarter's features - they're important, but not urgent), have someone who can mentor them (with the right patience and honesty) and set expectations on their first day. One question I'd add is "Do you think your team is mature enough to deal with it right now?" as it's not only about time, it's also about feeling confident in carrying the immediate pressure and trusting the systems you have in place (people, process and software)

Read it later via Instapaper.
Share it via Twitter or email.

Company Culture Is ... (Thread)
4 minutes read.

"Who sits together and how you arrange your office" -- John Cutler starts an interesting thread, and people joined to share their own two cents. What would you add to it?

Read it later via Instapaper.
Share it via Twitter or email.

Secrets From the Interview Room — What Reviewers Look for in a Take-Home Coding Assignment
7 minutes read.

I'd include Daniel Korn's post for take-home challenges, as it sets a nice upfront expectation on what would be considered a great job by the interviewee.

Read it later via Instapaper.
Share it via Twitter or email.

CEO Coaches
5 minutes read.

I think this can serve as a good reference to see if you want to find a coach for your executive team. Alex Maccaw shares the key benefits Clearbit took from it, making me think about which areas I believe having a coach could help me and my team push ourselves further.

Read it later via Instapaper.
Share it via Twitter or email.

Engineering Management Reads
5 minutes read.

Lena Reinhard will help you fill your browser tabs quicker than you thought possible. I'd share this post with everyone who's currently serving as a manager or thinking of becoming one.

Read it later via Instapaper.
Share it via Twitter or email.

The Career Management Secret I Wish I Had Known in My Twenties
5 minutes read.

"... usually when you’re going through this, and you don’t have enough context and history, you as an employee think, oh, the company is just bringing in new people because they’re older or more senior and existing employees aren’t getting a fair chance." -- Looking at the growth graphs of the individual and the company is a good framing by David Cancel, as it provides clarity and proper context for decision making: "Instead, what you need to do is think in abundance and say, wow, this company is growing faster than I am. Is there an opportunity for me to set myself up for my next promotion? So even if you miss that first step, think of what you can do to achieve a step function in personal growth so you can stay ahead of the company when it takes its next step function. And you can take advantage of the person who just came in and learn from them so you’re ready to take that next step."

Read it later via Instapaper.
Share it via Twitter or email.

@ajlkn: Serious pro tip I wish I had internalized in my teens/early 20s: FINISH. THINGS. Starting something is easy, but there are lessons and skills you'll only ever learn if you see it through to the end

@LifeMathMoney: Luck is a function of timing, circumstance, skill level and effort. Most people interpret luck based on the first two.