Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Navigating Disagreements When It Comes to Priorities

When stakeholders disagree on priorities, it is important to take the time to understand where they are coming from and discuss both points of view. Give team members the chance to test out their suggestions and build a transparent framework or system that invites others into the process. This will help to unify the departments on decision-making and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals.

How to Build and Manage the First Product Roadmap for a Startup

When creating a product roadmap for a startup, it is important to structure priorities based on customer and business needs, and to format the roadmap in a way that reflects its flexibility. It is also important to include learning and discovery initiatives, marketing and sales activities, and timelines in the roadmap. Regularly touching on the roadmap and aligning key players and stakeholders with the aptitude for change will help increase the success of the product roadmap.

Hiring the Right People: Looking Beyond Just Technical Skills

This article discusses the importance of having a holistic hiring process for developers. The author explains how their company initially had a 1-step technical hiring process, which led to many talented individuals who didn't fit into the company culture. To fix this, the author implemented a 3-step vetting process that focused on the candidates as a whole, not just their technical ability. The author also emphasizes the importance of finding people who are team players and who align with the company's goals, rather than just the smartest person for the job. Ultimately, this person-centric approach to hiring will reflect on the company's culture and affect their deliverables.

Creating a Cultural Shift for Effective Meetings: Building a Writing Culture

Poor documentation can be risky for businesses, but adopting a writing culture can help to increase inclusivity, reduce meeting time, and increase productivity. To build a successful writing culture, it is important to make it collaborative, document the process and make it accessible, and encourage people to read it. Remote work requires trust, focus time, and asynchronous ways to collaborate and discuss.

Ethics and Equality in Software Engineering

Before the pandemic, the author was scheduled to deliver a talk about ethics in software engineering. Research revealed that historically marginalized groups faced discrimination in the software industry. To create change, the author recommends unconscious bias and microaggression training, psychological safety for team members to bring up concerns, and listening with respect and empathy. Data is also important to make others aware of the inequalities in software development.

Building the Future in Front of You

The author reflects on their experience as a manager and how they have taken it upon themselves to mentor and empower those around them. They discuss the importance of having a mentor and how it can help shape one's career path. They also share lessons they have learned from their mentees, such as the importance of asking the right questions and validating people in their decision-making process. Finally, the author shares how they are actively involved in mentoring and helping others in their alumni network and other organizations of diversity.