Mindset

Coding is a brawl, not a battle of wits

Discover why coding is more like a boxing match, focused on delivering results rather than perfect technique. Learn how to navigate economic upheaval and prioritize business needs in this unexpected comparison.

The best engineering books get good 5 years into your career

The best engineering books aren't those you read at the start of your career. It's the ones you appreciate 5 years in.

Code yourself out of the job

Don't get stuck being a critical member of the team.

The quickest way to kill a team

The answer to 5 soloists in a trench coat

Team dysfunction where everyone's a soloist? Try this fix: Force the team to work on ONE story at a time.

5 soloists in a trench coat

Ever felt like your software team is just soloists in a trench coat? You may be right!

Why you need a regular retro

Agile is something you are, not something you do.

Your resumé has a job

Is your resume a tech bingo card? Not great.

5 tips for effective standups

Talk about today, not yesterday

Onboarding to a new team

People are starting to cheat in interviews using ChatGPT. It's obvious, doesn't work, and wouldn't even be cheating if you did it right!

What interviewers look for in senior engineers

People are starting to cheat in interviews using ChatGPT. It's obvious, doesn't work, and wouldn't even be cheating if you did it right!

When to stay at a company

Cap your down-side and think like an investor. Look for key metrics that can shape your career growth.

Be action oriented

Unearth the surprising connection between the CIA's Simple Sabotage Manual and your productivity, and learn how to transform tiny actions into big wins. Dive into Swizec's engaging exploration of how small actions can make a huge impact on your progress.

The Buxton Index – why some are hard to work with

The Buxton Index measures an entity's planning period and explains many of your work dynamics.

I'm a different engineer than I was 3 years ago

A reflection on engineering through The Hockeystick

The 3 budgets

Software engineering salaries come from one of 3 budgets. Which budget pays your salary shapes your day-to-day and influences your career trajectory

Keeping a high engineering culture, tips from the field

I asked engineers how they keep a high quality culture. These are the takeaways

Askers vs. Guessers

Askers vs Guessers: the culture clash that explains half the conflicts you've ever had

How to go from Senior to Lead

Transitioning from Senior to Lead Engineer isn't just about technical prowess, but strategic thinking, soft skills, and going beyond your role. And remember, strong individual contributions matter!

Solve the problem, not a different more difficult problem

Solve the problem at hand, not the one you imagine might come next. A simple fix now often beats a complex one later.

Trust your wings, not the market

Success in your career doesn't come from relying on the market or job stability. It comes from trusting your own wings - having a clear vision, treating work as a value exchange, leveraging your skills, and owning your path

Different worlds

Different lenses, different worlds. Your perspective is shaped by your experiences. Even in debates, all sides can be right in their own context.

Clarification on how ownership makes careers

Aa few readers wrote in with questions and objections to last week's Ownership makes careers email. Here's a few clarifications.

Ownership makes careers

Own shit. At least put your name on things. Yes, before it's successful.

What does "solve problems" even mean

Focus on solving problems, not just doing work or writing code. Think creatively, question existing processes, and prioritize effective outcomes

How one sentence guides your career

Unlock the secret to guiding your career with a powerful positioning statement. Learn to stand out in the job market and attract opportunities that align with your expertise and values.

Why a tech meltdown is the best time to invest in your career

Invest in your career growth. Seize the moment to develop new skills and prepare for a brighter future

Own the outcome, not the work

Efficient problem-solving in engineering with a shift in perspective – focusing on user outcomes can lead to innovative solutions and change your approach to system design.

Insights for interviews from Kahneman's Noise

everything people say is bad about modern tech interviews is actually good 🤯

The programming tutorial SEO industry is dead

20 years ago greybeards laughed at us for Googling. Now they laugh when we ask ChatGPT. But the leverage is 🚀