On doing more in a tech organization
Often, the answer is (perhaps disappointingly) straightforward:
Step up
But in the structures in which we find ourselves, this can be confusing, counter-intuitive: the local emphasis can be on short-term progress (sprints, quarters).
Ignore that.
Then, how do we promote doing more?
As a friend said to me once:
Model the shit out of it
- Show people what success looks like
- Encourage little things
- address tech debt
- take grunt work from those around you to understand what support you’ve been getting
- Long-term wins happen through conversations, cross-team introductions
- Be vulnerable
- if you’re experienced, ask questions about things that you don’t know — this provides a warm environment for others to ask questions
- i’m familiar with python 2, etc, but what is this unfamiliar syntax? // oh, it’s from python 3!
- if you’re less experienced, ask questions that may seem dumb (but that everyone’s probably thinking) — this is a great way to learn!
- why not just do X?
- if you’re experienced, ask questions about things that you don’t know — this provides a warm environment for others to ask questions