Carol Lee, a Clinical Scientist, discusses code review anxiety, debunking myths, coping strategies, and the importance of team dynamics. Topics include exposure and practice for confidence, self-reflection, respect, empathy, and connection. The episode provides insights on managing anxiety, handling feedback, decision-making, and creating space for well-being.
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Quick takeaways
Developers of all proficiency levels experience code review anxiety, challenging the myth that it only affects juniors.
Cognitive behavioral strategies and exposure techniques are crucial for addressing biased thinking and self-efficacy in code review anxiety.
Detaching personal identity from code fosters resilience, objectivity, and growth mindset in navigating code review feedback.
Deep dives
Understanding and Managing Code Review Anxiety
Code review anxiety is a common experience among developers irrespective of their experience levels. The misconception that it only affects junior developers is debunked through research, revealing its impact across all proficiency levels. The traditional approach of focusing solely on writing better code to alleviate anxiety is challenged, emphasizing the need for cognitive behavioral strategies to address biased thinking and self-efficacy. By implementing techniques like physiological symptom management, cognitive bias identification, and exposure through active engagement in code reviews, developers can reduce avoidance behaviors, challenge anxious thoughts, and improve their code review experiences.
The Importance of Awareness and Self-Reflection in Anxiety Management
Developers can benefit from enhancing awareness about their anxiety triggers and patterns, recognizing biased thoughts that contribute to code review anxiety. Cognitive distortions, such as catastrophizing and mind-reading, can be addressed by self-compassionate and realistic thinking techniques. Front-loading strategies like self-monitoring and relaxation techniques, as well as reducing avoidance tendencies through exposure and active engagement in code reviews, enable developers to navigate anxiety-inducing situations with greater resilience and confidence.
Detaching Identity from Code for Stress Reduction
Encouraging developers to detach their personal identity from the code they write can foster a healthier perspective on code review feedback. By shifting from 'I created this' to 'Here is a solution I discovered,' developers can distance themselves emotionally from code critiques, reducing the perceived threat to their self-worth. De-centering from over-identification with code and viewing it as a separate entity can help developers manage stress, enhance objectivity, and approach code reviews with a growth-oriented mindset.
The Benefits of Code Reviews and Coping Mechanisms
Code reviews can improve code quality and offer mentorship opportunities, creating a sense of community within teams. Having coping strategies, like detaching from anxiety-inducing situations by focusing on detachment in the present moment, can help reduce stress in such environments.
Managing Anxiety and Cultivating Team Dynamics
Understanding and managing anxiety is essential, and creating positive team dynamics can lead to better code reviews and overall team cohesion. Rational thinking, not positive thinking, is emphasized to address thoughts related to code reviews and potential outcomes.
Carol Lee (Clinical Scientist) shares her research on code review anxiety. We dive deep into her recent research paper “Understanding and Effectively Mitigating Code Review Anxiety”. We get into all the nooks and crannies of this topic — common code review myths, strategies for coping, the need for awareness and self-reflection, the value of exposure and practice to build confidence, the importance of team dynamics, respect, empathy, and connection, and more. This show is jam-packed with goodies for everyone…and we even give a nod to the work we did on our podcast Brain Science.
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