DevOps Paradox

DOP 227: Layoff-Proofing Your Career

Sep 6, 2023

Learn how to layoff-proof your engineering career by developing people skills, being direct, and maintaining a healthy mindset. Explore the impact of AI in the industry and the importance of mental health. Discover strategies for navigating layoffs and rewiring negative thought patterns. Plus, get tips on eating well for stability and productivity.

49:48

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Prioritizing relationships and collaboration in engineering work can layoff-proof careers.

Engineers need to challenge outdated beliefs and recognize that software development is a people-oriented endeavor.

Deep dives

The importance of becoming people-centered

In this podcast episode, the speakers discuss the importance of engineers adopting a people-centered approach in their work. They highlight that by prioritizing relationships and collaboration, engineers can become more layoff-proof in their careers. The podcast emphasizes how the traditional focus on technical skills needs to be balanced with the development of skills such as clear communication, collaboration, and business acumen. They also stress the significance of understanding how engineers can contribute to the overall value creation process in their organizations.

Introduction

2min

The Evolution of the Tech Industry and Developing People Skills

8min

The Importance of Being Direct and Benefiting the Business

2min

Navigating Layoffs and Layoff-proofing Your Career

7min

The Importance of Eating Well and Avoiding Extremes

28min

Discussing the Guest's Website and Upcoming Book

3min

#227: Imagine this. You walk into your office and your manager pulls you to the side and says “Pack up your belongings. You’ve been made redundant. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.”

Just like that, you no longer have a job.

In even more extreme cases, just because a company exists today does not mean that it will exist tomorrow. Think about Enron, Blockbuster, Compaq and many others.

At this point in history, it’s not if, but when, will you be laid off and what will you do?

In this episode, we speak with Dagna Bieda, founder of theMindfulDev.com, about strategies to "layoff-proof" your engineering career, touching on topics like the role of AI in the industry, the importance of mental health, and the impact of our belief systems on our careers.

Dagna’s contact information:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dagnabieda

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagnabieda/

Website: https://www.themindfuldev.com/

YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/devopsparadox/

Books and Courses:

Catalog, Patterns, And Blueprints

https://www.devopstoolkitseries.com/posts/catalog/

Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts:

https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/

Slack: