Discovering the power of story-telling in engineering | Adam Gordon Bell (CoRecursive)
Aug 6, 2024
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Adam Gordon Bell, host of the CoRecursive podcast, discusses the hidden power of storytelling in engineering. He reflects on realizing that great engineers are often exceptional communicators. The conversation touches on the art of crafting engaging narratives, the importance of casual interactions for collaboration, and strategies for selecting compelling podcast guests. Adam also shares insights into the challenges of podcasting, including effective follow-up emails and the balance between passion projects and full-time work.
Great engineers excel not only in coding but also in effective communication, highlighting its importance alongside technical expertise.
Casual conversations within teams often reveal valuable insights and problem-solving techniques, especially in remote work environments.
The transition to a managerial role emphasizes that communication and collaboration are pivotal for team success beyond individual technical skills.
Deep dives
The Value of Communication in Engineering
Achieving technical excellence is often seen as the pinnacle of engineering, but the importance of communication is increasingly recognized. Influential figures in the tech field, such as Joel Spolsky, gained prominence not solely for their coding skills but for their ability to articulate complex ideas effectively. This highlights a shift in focus: aspiring engineers should prioritize developing communication skills alongside their technical abilities. Being able to convey thoughts and knowledge clearly and engagingly can create a more significant impact than mere technical expertise.
Lessons from the Workplace Environment
In a previous role at Opritel, the nuances of communication became clear through informal interactions among colleagues. Discussions often occurred in casual settings, such as the cafeteria, where team members shared stories that provided insight into problem-solving techniques and workplace knowledge. The spontaneous exchange of information in such environments is invaluable but often overlooked in remote work settings. This realization underscored the importance of fostering open communication channels within teams, particularly in remote or distributed workplaces.
Transitioning from Technical to Managerial Roles
The transition from coding to management revealed that technical skills weren't the sole factor affecting team productivity. In managing a team of highly skilled engineers, the realization dawned that communication and collaboration were equally vital for success. Skills such as group dynamics, conflict resolution, and motivational techniques played a more significant role in driving project outcomes than individual technical prowess. This evolution towards managerial responsibilities emphasized the need for engineers to adapt their approach and prioritize fostering team cohesion.
The Journey into Podcasting
The move into podcasting provided an avenue for engaging with experts and learning from their experiences, further highlighting the need for effective communication. Initially inspired by successful podcasts, the transition involved overcoming challenges related to outreach, guest coordination, and content creation. Each guest interview became an opportunity to explore different perspectives while simultaneously honing storytelling and interviewing abilities. This journey underscored how sharing knowledge through engaging narratives could enhance both personal and communal learning.
Exploring the Role of Developer Relations
Developer relations has emerged as a critical function in technology companies, bridging the gap between users and the development team. This role entails understanding developer needs, providing solutions, and fostering a community while maintaining an awareness of product offerings. Effective communication and the ability to empathize with developers' struggles can significantly impact a product's adoption and user satisfaction. As the industry evolves, bridging technical knowledge with communicative skills will be essential for those sustaining careers in developer relations.
Known for hosting the CoRecursive podcast, which dives into the stories behind the code, Adam joins the show to chat about discovering that the great engineers he had looked up to are actually great communicators, his framework for building one of the best storytelling engineering podcasts, and the journey getting into DevRel.
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Highlights (00:04:23) The power of casual conversations (00:07:08) Taking the leap into podcasting (00:10:34) The hardest part of running a podcast (00:14:03) Learning to follow up (00:16:26) Storytelling in podcasting (00:20:36) The evolution of CoRecursive (00:21:19) What makes a good story? (00:24:48) Finding the right guests (00:30:26) Preparing for interviews (00:32:07) Favorite part of making a podcast episode (00:37:43) Learning from radio journalists (00:39:47) Overcoming self-doubt (00:44:27) Balancing passion projects with full-time work (00:46:38) The power of vulnerability in storytelling (00:53:29) Behind the scenes of developer relations (01:00:38) The great engineers you know are actually great communicators
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