Developer Tea
Episodes
Two Questions Focused On Unearthing Hidden Information In Yourself
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes a small question can change the course of your career. It doesn't have to be complicated, and it doesn't have to be detailed. A well placed ...
Asking a Taboo Question
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, I give you one question that is considered taboo (for some unknown reason) often in the workplace: What Do You Want? Amazingly, th...
Reframe Play as a Principle
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Play isn't just for kids. In today's episode we'll reframe what play means, and why it's a principle for great work and lifelong learning.🙏 Today's...
Interrogating Beliefs and Treasuring Those Who Disagree With You
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When you find something that is counterintuitive, it's possible that it will create immense value to whatever problem you are trying to solve. Seek to...
Two Forks in the Road On the Path Towards Optimization and Productivity
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Productivity is about working towards your goals, and optimization is about sharpening those efforts more directly.We talk about two forks in the road...
Techniques for People Struggling to Define Their Values
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Determining your values doesn't have to be an extremely serious or permanent exercise. Start at the simplest place you can, and iterate. Your values a...
Using Core Tools and Activities for Grounded Productivity
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you feel like everything is spinning around you and it's difficult to remain productive, you aren't alone. In this episode we talk about core tools...
Productivity, But Only On Paper
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Productivity measurements often show nothing of value at all. Today we'll discuss how complexity (or "story") points may actually show exactly the opp...
The Only Productivity Discussion Worth Having
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Productivity is meaningless without a goal, and no activity is banned from being considered productive.🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Inst...
Make Room to Expect the Exceptions
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On the whole, exceptions are not exceptional. Each one may be unpredictable or rare, but they happen very regularly. How are you prepared to handle th...
You Need Better Inputs to improve Your Options
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The quality of your options is determined by the quality of your inputs. If your decisions have no good options, consider what the source of those opt...
Tradeoffs Of Control Optimized To Serve Your Goals
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The background noise in today's episode wasn't just a mistake, it was a choice. A tradeoff.Tradeoffs represent a decision of control and energy. You w...
Scheduling Time To Go The Extra Mile
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What was the last time you prepared for a meeting?I'm not talking about the times when you were forced to prepare. I mean, when was the last time you ...
Premortems for Personal Goals
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Premortems aren't just a tool for teams launching projects. You can use these for your personal goals as well.What are the things most likely to stop ...
Compare, Carefully
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Comparison is a powerful tool that humans are exceedingly good at wielding. However, as with any powerful tool, it can easily be misused to damaging e...
Busting False Coupling and Finding Positive Negotiation Positions
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we'll discuss the importance of breaking false ties in a negotiation scenario. This happens more often than we realize, and the best ...
Making Space for Intuition in Decision-making
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Decision-making shouldn't just be about algorithms. It also shouldn't be just about intuition. Incorporating both is required to make the best decisio...
Blueprint for Better Intermediate Decisionmaking
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most decisions that are worth considering longer than a moment fall into the category of "intermediate decisions" we discuss in today's episode. These...
Finding Perspective On Purpose - Make it Visible, Make it Clear
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode we talk about finding perspective and purpose through the lens of two principles and one bonus exercise.🙏 Today's Episode is Bro...
The Principle of Isolation
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we discuss the principle of isolation. We use isolation in decisionmaking regularly! Now, let's learn how to harness it.You can on...
Better Report, Better Manager - Reiterate and Reflect for Better Communication
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Communication is hard. Like most things, we try to oversimplify it by turning "understanding" into a black and white, binary state. Communication and ...
Ambiguous Target Decisions and Noise
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode we discuss two types of decision evaluations, and a brief explanation of noise in decisionmaking.You're making judgment calls every...
Better Report, Better Manager - The Assumption of Motivation
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all have some kind of motivation. But in error, we assume we know the motivations of others, and we also assume that our future selves will act in ...
The Big Picture Pyramid
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you keep the big picture in mind while also executing on the details? In today's episode we talk about the three-part pyramid that represents t...
Better Report, Better Manager - Two Questions to Find Guidance If You Don't Have A Manager
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What should I do if I don't have a manager? There's a lot of answers to this question, but the first route I want to suggest is to find someone who ca...
Swizec Teller and the Senior Engineering Mindset, Part Two
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we talk with Swizec Teller, senior engineer at Tia. Swizec created SeniorMindset.com, discuss the differentiators and mindset shif...
Swizec Teller and the Senior Engineering Mindset, Part One
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we talk with Swizec Teller, senior engineer at Tia. Swizec created SeniorMindset.com, discuss the differentiators and mindset shif...
Better Report, Better Manager - One-On-One Frameworks: Focus and Fears
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What does a good 1-on-1 look like? We'll answer this in many different ways. For today's episode, I want to share a micro-framework for you to try out...
Better Report, Better Manager - Investing in a Healthier Manager-to-Report Relationship
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What should I look for in a healthy relationship with my manager? In this episode we talk about a variety of signals that you can expect if you have t...
Better Report, Better Manager Series: Calibration Conversation - 3 Questions to Ask Your Manager ASAP
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are kicking off a series called "Better Report, Better Manager" - in this series, we'll discuss how you can improve your relationsh...
No More Status Meetings - A Forcing Function For Better Team Information Flow
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Your status meetings are an old holdover from less useful business practices. Do away with status meetings, and instead get to the core of your discus...
Two Principles To Improve Your Software Design Decisions
02 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode we discuss two principles that will help you make better software design decisions. Talk about these principles and how they apply ...
Clearly Define What Your Toolset Can't Do
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Defining what your tools, teams, processes, and even you yourself are good at is hard, and often we stray past the boundaries of focus that would keep...
When Sense-making and Statistics Collide
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our ability to make sense out of things is powerful. When we hear "90% of the way there", our brain fills in the gaps and often stretches that to mean...
Opportunities of Convergence and the Cost of Divergence
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Opportunity comes in moments of convergence. Loss is measured in divergence. Pay attention to what is converging now - this is how you take advantage ...
Viewing Teams Through the Lens of Trust
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Everything we do in our teams is based on trust. Trust, however, is a limited resource. We should spend it wisely.🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To y...
3 Habits For Your First 30 Days As A New Engineer On A Team (Corrected Audio)
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You're a new engineer - what should you start doing in your first 30 days? In this episode, we talk about 3 behaviors you might be resisting, but that...
Your Media, Your Message
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the mid 20th century, Marshall Mcluhan brought philosophy into the spotlight with his claim that the "medium is the message." We discuss the meanin...
Two Shifts to Change Our Working Mindset from Static to Dynamic
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The world around us isn't static, but our brain processes as if it is.In this episode we talk about subtle shifts to help break that mold for the most...
Taking Advantage of Uniquely Human Capabilities
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we discuss the fact that intuition isn't all that bad to use when estimating... we just shouldn't use it to estimate a number. Tak...
Seek Context to Offset Prediction Errors
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When we have context, we predict more accurately. When we translate numbers into more meaningful concepts, we create context where previously things w...
Excessive Cohesion - When We Fill In Gaps to Make Things Make Sense
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode we talk about a concept called excessive cohesion - when our brains fill in the gaps when information is missing. This is an import...
Some of My Productivity Mechanisms
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Increasing clarity informs perspective. Changing perspective often brings new clarity.When we manage our work through effective process, we are seekin...
Assimilating Advice - Dealing with Information Overload
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you consolidate all of the advice you receive? More importantly, how can you put it into practice day in and day out? We'll talk about two stra...
Help, I'm Blocked! Four Common Root Causes for Developers Getting Blocked
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why are you getting blocked every sprint? Find the root cause. In this episode, we discuss 4 common root causes for engineers getting blocked. Which o...
Julian Gutman, CPO at Patreon, Part Two
12 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We continue our discussion with Julian Gutman about community and culture in today's episode.📮 Ask a QuestionIf you enjoyed this episode and would ...
Julian Gutman, CPO at Patreon, Part One
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Julian Gutman, Chief Product Officer at Patreon, joins us to discuss community, culture, and buy-in.🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: ...
Purpose Oriented Resolutions, Part Two, and 7 Years of Developer Tea!
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
First off, thank you for an incredible 7 years! Our listeners and sponsors make it possible to do this show, and I'm incredibly grateful for every one...
Developing Purpose Oriented Resolutions
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we discuss purpose-oriented resolutions. We'll discuss an exercise you can use to help drive this development process. We'll also ...
Your Only Challenge Is To Focus
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you can't focus, you are paralyzed. Everything you do in your career and life will be served better with clear and continuous focus. We revisit thi...
Taking Back Ownership Over Your Priorities
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to remember sometimes, but our priorities are our own. We have agency over our time. Even our obligations are more often determined by our c...
3 Cognitive Pitfalls of Mental Models
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mental models are very useful, and we tap into them even without knowing it. But just like any cognitive tool, our brain can play tricks on us when us...
Using Proactive Decision Tools To Reduce Reactive Decision Error
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Make your decisions easier by anticipating them. Determine systems for making decisions in advance, so you don't get caught making them on the spot. D...
Two Perspective-Sharpening Tools For Your New Year's Resolution Making
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we'll talk about two ways to improve your perception and perspective when making your new year's resolutions, or any other big dec...
Two Tools for Improving Your Closest Relationships
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we discuss two tools that I believe will change your closest relationships forever.It can be awkward to intentionally work on comm...
Welcome Back Interview with Ernie Miller, Head of Engineering at Monograph, Part One (Fixed Audio)
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We had some gremlins in the audio processing of the first part of the interview with Ernie Miller. They've been banished! Sorry about the trouble, and...
Input Quadrant - A Tool for Better Retrospectives
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We have an illusion of control when things go our way, and a bias to shift the blame when things don't go our way. In retrospectives, we also believe ...
Welcome Back Interview with Ernie Miller, Head of Engineering at Monograph, Part Two
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today I talk with Ernie Miller. Ernie is the head of engineering at Monograph. (They are hiring!) This is the second part of my interview with Ernie.W...
Welcome Back Interview with Ernie Miller, Head of Engineering at Monograph, Part One
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today I talk with Ernie Miller. Ernie is the head of engineering at Monograph. (They are hiring!)We talk about the four-day work week, fragility of cu...
The Focus IS the Work
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The focus is the work.When anyone asks how they can be more productive, I give them the exercise I talk about in this episode. It's extremely simple, ...
Dealing with Inevitable But Unpredictable Events
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bugs are inevitable, but individually unpredictable. Trying to use a single strategy for dealing with these events will miss a huge number of the even...
Think in Composition
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Most things are compositions of other things. Most problems are multi-factorial. Most opportunities have more than one selling point.Sometimes, it hel...
Substitute Better Questions
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Substitute with better questions, and you'll have more insightful answers. Questions are a major contributing factor to behavior, and the way you ask ...
Focusing On Fundamentals Is Not Repetition, It is Refinement
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Focusing on fundamentals may seem boring, or like a sports catchphrase used to motivate people to practice. The truth is, these fundamentals are still...
Metamodeling and Steering Systems for Self Improvement
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Metamodeling is creating a model of models. Confused yet? When we use models, we often assume they are complete. But what characteristics could make a...
When Pressure Turns To Poison
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Stress often comes from pressure. When we experience pressure, we usually respond by trying to relieve it - often to the detriment of our work.In toda...
Less Confidence, More Bravery
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Confidence is often used as an artificial bluff, to help us feel less dread of failure. But this is problematic; when we put blinders on, we don't pre...
Habits, Languages, Processes, and Other Behavior Engines
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What do you want to change? The things you do repeatedly have the most impact on your life. Focus on the systems that produce repeated behaviors. We t...
Mindful Job Search: Myths and Psychology of Interviewing
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We continue talking about conducting a mindful job search in today's episode.The truth is, that next application you put in is probably not going to e...
Mindful Job Search: Is it really time for me to quit my job?
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever felt bad about looking for a job, or you're wondering if now is the right time because a bunch of coworkers or friends are on the move,...
Can You Really Pick the Right Tool for Every Job?
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pick the right tool for the job.But who is picking? What tools can they choose from? And what is the actual job, anyway? This advice is important beca...
A Statistical Case for Iteration Over Perfect Preparation
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You are much more likely to succeed with iteration than you are with a perfect first attempt.This is purely a function of probability, and is even mor...
Avoid Unnecessary Prediction
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When you have to predict, you're likely to have error in your prediction. Sometimes that error is easily handled - other times, it can be catastrophic...
Give Random a Chance
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Random choice may actually be your best bet. At the very least, starting with random is a good exercise in self control, and will help reveal informat...
Two Illusions of Agreement
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy to believe that everyone you get along with agrees with you about anything and everything.The truth is harder to confront, but often, this i...
Limit Your Options By Limiting Your Obligations
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The number of things you have to choose to do in a day is constantly being fought over. Your calendar, if it's like most calendars, has very little to...
Feature Exploitation
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When we understand the features and boundaries of any object, we can do more with that object based on those constraints.This doesn't just apply to co...
How Averages Can Trick You and Obscure the Truth
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Averages can trick you into thinking a generalized idea about a complex set of data. This kind of compression happens not only with averages but any o...
Dominik Zane, Founder of Around - Part Two
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, I have a discussion about product development and counter-intuitive decisions Dom had to make along the way in making Around. This...
Dominik Zane, Founder of Around - Part One
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, I have a discussion about product development and counter-intuitive decisions Dom had to make along the way in making Around.🙏 ...
Inner and Outer Layers of Context
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Context is critical, but what does that mean? What are the parts of context you should care about?In this episode, we talk specifically about temporal...
Finding the Good in the Negative - Ask, "what do I do about this?"
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"What do I do about this?"This question is one that can trigger action, even in a moment of pain. When we make a clear decision about how we are going...
Two Razors for More Efficient Decision-making
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you can make better decisions, every other effort you put forth will benefit.One common error made when making decisions is overtuning on perfectio...
Use Your Expectations As a Tool
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Expectations can cause pain, but they can also be useful. An expectation should be a hypothesis. Where we go wrong is when we mix our expectations wit...
Flexibility is a Resource to Gather When You Least Need It
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Flexibility is not something you conjure in a moment of need. It is something that is developed and gathered like a resource when you least require it...
Deconstructing Purpose
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There is something almost pseudo-religious about talking about purpose that is easy to get hung up on, especially if you don’t consider yourself a p...
Two Variations of Confirmation Bias
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our brain wants beliefs to stay the same. We don't want to change, and yet progress is dependent on change.That doesn't mean your beliefs are all wron...
How You Shape Your World With Macro and Micro Stories
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We see the world through stories. We communicate about the world through stories. So, the stories we tell turn out to be incredibly important to the w...
Friday Refill: Always Keep Your Tank Full
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you wait until your tank is empty, you've created an urgent situation you could have avoided. Keep your tank full, early and often. This applies t...
The Most Critical Career Mistake You Can Make
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The most critical career mistake you can make isn't a secret. Are you in control? If you aren't driving your career, who is?What if the best thing you...
Failure is an Opportunity for Responsibility
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The romance of endless success is a broken picture of reality.Instead, focus on inviting failure and taking advantage of the opportunity it brings: th...
Friday Refill: What Are Your Ideals?
13 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What are your ideals? For many people, ideals are fragile. The moment we see a hero fall, our own lives are immediately thrown into a state of confusi...
4 Questions To Understand Your Long Term Career Trajectory
11 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Great questions trigger thought and further questions. In this episode, I pose 4 questions (and a bit of homework) to help you get a handle on where y...
Joel Beasley from Modern CTO, Part Two
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joel Beasley is the host of Modern CTO, a podcast with guests coming from IBM, Microsoft, Nasa, Reddit, and hundreds of others. Joel and I have wanted...
Friday Refill: Give Tomorrow-You Advice from Today
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Friday everyone! Today we talk about fighting the inertia of the daily slide into habits. How many days have seemed to slip through your fingers...
Joel Beasley from Modern CTO
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Joel Beasley is the host of Modern CTO, a podcast with guests coming from IBM, Microsoft, Nasa, Reddit, and hundreds of others. Joel and I have wanted...
Uncomfortable Silence: What If You Do Nothing?
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What if the best thing you could do was nothing?Not indefinitely, of course - but often, we intervene in the world when the right choice is to do noth...
Friday Refill: Imaginary Comparisons
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Comparison is an incredibly important tool. But most of the time, the comparisons we are making are imaginary - even the ones that seem real. In this ...
Implicit Hypotheses
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are you acting on impulse? How would you know? One door to understanding this "acting without thinking" is to investigate our hypotheses. Implicit hyp...
Model Manager - What We Don't Manage
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Model Manager episodes of Developer Tea are dedicated to helping engineering managers find models of thinking that improve their approach to managemen...