As software developers, we love to delve deep into technical matters and write code that delivers value. It’s not a big secret, however, that many problems in software originate with people and not technology. In my experience, the biggest issues arise mostly due to corporate politics, lack of shared values, poor attitude, inadequate communication skills, [...]
Over the years I have used several productivity approaches, from goal-driven/top-down (e.g. Steven Covey’s First-Things-First quadrants) to more reactive/bottom-up (e.g. David Allen’s Getting Things Done). I have also used more tactical approaches, such as the 48 minutes rule, which I always find surprisingly effective, particularly when I know I can work for some time uninterrupted. [...]
A close friend of mine who works as a developer in a geographically distributed team, recently told me, with extreme frustration, that our profession is doomed and it won’t be long before we will all lose our jobs. “We just translate user requirements into code”, he said. “Companies see IT as just a cost, we [...]
I’ll be back to Stockholm in early April, delivering a talk at one of the main IT conferences in Sweden. For such a technology-centric event, it is quite fascinating to see an entire track dealing with the often neglected issues of people working together. We should really give the organizers a standing ovation for such [...]
I just read Brian’s post titled “The art of science (or the science of art)“, which reminded me of certain discussions I had over dinner at the workshop in South Africa, particularly with Carli Deysel, from ThoughtWorks. On the very first evening, as we were talking about our mutual aspirations to change the world and [...]
The software architecture workshop in South Africa has come to an end. Spending a few days in a beautiful game resort close to Sun City, I worked closely with a tiny group of new and old friends from different parts of the world. As in previous editions, we used the open space organizational framework. As [...]
I’m just back from Sweden, where I met several folks from Microsoft and our really good friends and partners at Cornerstone. I really like going to Stockholm as people are really bright and welcoming over there! Tomorrow I will be flying to participate to Jimmy Nilsson’s “European” Software Architecture Workshop…in South Africa!! I know, I [...]
There is this common notion of “intelligence” as a largely inherited talent that can be assessed in one hour interview. Do you know your Intelligence Quotient (IQ)? I don’t. In fact, I’m terrified by IQ tests. You see, those tests may well find out that I’m an idiot, or at least, that I’m not that [...]
Have you ever believed that you could never learn to be creative because inventive people are born with some special ability that ordinary people like you don’t posses? A few years ago, I suggested to each member of my team to choose a nick name, an inspiring name that would break away from what has [...]
What would you say if I told you that creativity is a skill and not a gift? Like any other skills, it can be learned and developed. Many will be surprised to know that my mum is an accomplished and multi-talented artist. She is a French-Italian poet, interpreter, writer, editor. In the past, she has [...]
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