Soft Skills Engineering

A software engineer grapples with the ethics of developing a gambling app, questioning whether to enhance accessibility despite potential harms. The hosts debate the societal impact of gambling and whether improved accessibility could inadvertently increase risk. They also discuss strategies for researching employers' ethical commitments, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions during interviews. Insights on assessing corporate culture and aligning personal values with workplace ethics are shared, encouraging a focus on making a positive impact.

This conversation dives into the tension between optics and real impact in tech culture. Listeners wrestle with a workplace that prioritizes appearance over productivity. The hosts discuss how politics arise from information gaps and the importance of data in redirecting focus. They emphasize creating clear metrics to minimize persuasive rhetoric. Additionally, a listener shares their struggles as an accessibility champion, receiving practical advice on improving non-coding tasks and setting achievable goals. It's a candid exploration of navigating organizational dynamics.

The hosts tackle a listener's struggle with a distracted manager during 1:1s, leading to a costly misunderstanding over Java and JavaScript. They suggest creative solutions like walking meetings to reduce distractions. Another listener describes their frustrating long commute and isolation in an empty office while required to work on EST hours. The hosts emphasize the importance of pushing back on unreasonable work demands and recommend using commute time for job hunting preparation.

The hosts dive into the challenges of communication in remote teams, exploring why some members stay silent even after years together. They dissect the impact of company culture and remote work on team dynamics. The conversation shifts to the importance of in-person meetups and how they foster connection. Later, they provide guidance on setting up skip-level one-on-ones, emphasizing the importance of purpose and manager buy-in to advance careers. Practical tips on discussing achievements without coming off as boastful are also shared.

Hiring can be a challenge, with signals to assess candidates often misleading. The hosts provide tips on using real examples to gauge true abilities and suggest making interviews mimic actual work scenarios. They also share insights on handling distracting AI-generated memes from a coworker, emphasizing the importance of direct feedback and setting boundaries. This episode offers practical advice for navigating both hiring dilemmas and disruptive team dynamics.

In this conversation, a listener grapples with the challenge of asking for a raise after years of minimal effort. The hosts discuss the ethics of being overpaid and strategies to take ownership of one’s career. They highlight the importance of proving a renewed commitment over time and suggest ways to communicate with managers about growth plans. Additionally, they address a project manager's tendency to use DMs instead of public channels, emphasizing the need for transparency and visibility in team discussions.

Explore the challenge of being disliked by your team from day one without any clear reason. Discover insights on handling ignored contributions while maintaining professional integrity. The hosts discuss the ethics of stacking PTO before resigning from one job to start another and the evolving norms around two-week notices. Learn how to navigate team dynamics, trust-building, and the importance of courtesy in professional transitions. Plus, hear cautionary tales of PTO misuse and its impact on relationships.

A listener celebrates a promotion but feels shortchanged by a mere 4% raise. The hosts dive into the complexities of salary bands and how to negotiate for more. They also discuss the challenges of unresolved workplace issues, like dealing with an obstructive lead and a questionable hire. Advice flows on navigating these tricky situations while maintaining confidence. Tune in for insights that might just empower your own career journey!

Two listeners pose intriguing questions about career challenges. One grapples with boredom in a slow-paced university job versus a tempting startup offer. The hosts discuss the trade-offs between stability and pace, offering advice to consider personal values. The second listener shares an unsettling experience of being fired shortly before a vesting cliff, prompting a conversation on why companies often remain vague about terminations. They emphasize the importance of processing the experience positively and crafting a concise narrative for future interviews.

A tech lead ignored warnings, leading to a production disaster and ultimately leaving the company, sparking a discussion on toxic work environments. The hosts explore whether one should voice pay and promotion frustrations in exit interviews. They advise on coasting ethically while job hunting and uncover the peculiarities of 'meets expectations' reviews despite outstanding performance. Tips on returning to work after a break highlight easing team concerns and quickly regaining coding skills, emphasizing gratitude and communication.