Developing Developer Communications Skills

Beyond The Code Cave. Developing Developers Soft Skills

Nigel James Director Square Cloud Pty Ltd –@SquareCloud

Who's who?

Where are we going?● Getting out of the code cave

● Knowing me // Knowing you

● Personality

● Power of TEAM

● Practical Communication

● Questions and Discussion

Getting out of the Code Cave● Communication is important

● Many Developers prioritise Coding over communication

● They don't see it as important

Knowing me // Knowing you● Do you know how you think?

● Are you a Visual, Auditory or Kinaesthetic Thinker?

● What ways do you work best?

● What are you blind spots and weaknesses?

● Who or what presses your buttons and why?

● Can you answer these questions for those in your team?

Personality● How are you wired?

● Consider a profiling test for your team

● Treat people as you would like to be treated

● In essence communicate to their strengths

● Lt Commander Data

Myers-Briggs● Interaction with the world: Introverts v Extroverts

● Absorption of information: Sensors v Intuitive

● Decision Making: Thinkers v Feelers

● Organisation: Judger v Perceivers

Power of TEAM● Software is not a solo activity

● Always someone to work with as a peer or a client relationship

● Not everyone will think the same way

● Use this to your advantage

● Develop relationships with those who think differently

● Get over us v them.

Cross Culture ● Every communication is cross cultural

● Watch out for jargon and insider acronyms

● The sender is responsible for the receipt of the message

● Some cultures just say 'Yes', so check they know what you are asking

Practical Communication● Pitch you voice to ensure you can be heard

● Vary your tone

● Posture

● Confidence v Fear

● Practise at every opportunity

● You are always communicating

Questions and Discussion

Thanks for Listening

Nigel James Director – Square Cloud Pty Ltd

@SquareCloud

nigel.james@squarecloud.com.au

Picture Credits:Bridge - https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottloftesness/12805095423

Cave - https://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewvenn/3026210580

Personality - https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/3332319267

Lt Cmd Data - http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/The_Ensigns_of_Command_(episode)

Team - https://www.flickr.com/photos/defenceimages/9653672799

Thinker - https://www.flickr.com/photos/seatbelt67/502255276

Flags - https://www.flickr.com/photos/borkurdotnet/691053039

Communication - https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcosand/5399855440

Dilbert - http://dilbert.com/2014-09-03/

Puzzle – http://squarecloud.com.au/

Personality graphic - http://www.businessinsider.com.au/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9