the soft skills of great software developers

BT5Session6/9/1611:30AM

TheSoftSkillsofGreatSoftwareDevelopers

Presentedby:

RaulSuarez

IndependentConsultant

Broughttoyouby:

350CorporateWay,Suite400,OrangePark,FL32073888---268---8770··[email protected]://www.techwell.com/

RaulSuarezIndependentConsultantForthepastthirtyyears,RaulSuarezhasworkedinalmosteveryarearelatedtocomputersystems,withaspecialpassionforhands-onsoftwaredevelopmentandpractices.Currentlyatalargefinancialcorporation,Raulhascontributedasleaddesigner,technicallead,developmentconsultant,andmorerecentlyasasolutionsarchitectfocusedonestablishingandimprovingclouddevelopmentandintegrationarchitecturepatterns.Throughouthiscareer,Raulhashadtheopportunitytobementoredbygreatpeopleandhaspaidthisforwardbymentoringotherdevelopers.Inhisfreetime,Raulisactiveinhislocaltechnicalcommunitywhereheenjoysvolunteeringandgivingpresentationsatconferencesandevents.

Raul Suarez, 2016DeveloperPractices.com

Soft skills of

Great Software Developers

Raul Suarez

DeveloperPractices.com

[email protected]


I'm Raúl and I'm a developer

● 30 years as a developer● 20 focused on development practices● 10 years focusing on personal growth● 17 years at a large corporation● These days I don't code directly most of the

time but I am responsible for the code of many people


This presentation is for you if...

Stay Go

?


This presentation is for you if...

● You want to have a broader impact● You wonder why other people are being

promoted or recognized ahead of you

● Even if you have it all figured out but want to contribute to the discussion


Great developers do more than coding


Great developers do more than coding

● Passion– Development is more than just a job

– Have the curiosity for learning and trying new things

– Can't be learned

● Technical expertise– Deliver high quality design, code and final product

– Main reason you are in this conference

● Soft Skills– Have human skills that help them relate to people

– This is the focus of this talk


Great developers are great communicators

@


Great developers are great communicators

● Practice your listening skills● Understand your audience: context, needs,

motivations● Use the right means of communication● Document and share decisions● Confirm understanding and Clarify assumptions● Provide direct answers● Keep people informed● Share and promote the sharing of knowledge


Networking is about making meaningful connections


Networking is about making meaningful connections

● Networking is more than who you “know” and who “knows” you● Allows to expand the sphere of influence

● Reach outside of your comfort zone● Get to know your contacts. Coffee, lunch, meetings, engage in small talk● Attend events● Leverage “wing persons”● Disregard hierarchies

● Create contextual org charts● Analyze your stakeholders motivations● Pay forward by connecting people


Politics is not a dirty word


Politics is not a dirty word

● Politics is the process of making uniform decisions applying to all members of a group

● Seek to understand people's different perspectives and motivations● Listen carefully. Tension has a reason. Start by assuming

resistance comes from good intentions● Leverage your network● Serve as a communication bridge balancing the needs of stake

holders● Document agreements


Mentors can help develop your career

Mentor


Mentors can help develop your career

● Look for mentors: People who have achieved the level of success you look for. Not on your direct reporting structure

● Be candid of where you are and what you want● Not everyone is good at everything, look for

different mentors● Pay forward mentoring others


Help people notice you


Help people notice you

● Be honest● Don't be afraid to expose your vulnerabilities● Show confidence● Take ownership● Embrace change● Contribute to the development community● Share knowledge through presentations


Ask for what you want


Ask for what you want

● You own your career● Avoid being pigeonholed● Be proactive asking for assignments● Do a gap analysis and set a plan and a target

with your management


Help comes in many forms


Help comes in many forms

● Mentors and direct feedback● Self awareness training: EI360, Facet5,

Myers-Briggs...● Books● Expert personal help: Therapy, counseling, life

coach


Development practices help you create good software

Developer practices help you build a successful career


Enjoy the rest of the conference

Please fill your evaluation formPlease fill your evaluation form

DeveloperPractices.com

[email protected]

@rarsamx


The Soft Skills of Great Software Developers by Raul Suarez is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

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