Coding Chats episode 33 - John Crickett and Robert Roskam explore the significance of open source involvement, the critical nature of effective onboarding, the myth of 10x engineers, and the challenges of transitioning into management.

They discuss how soft skills and community engagement are essential for software engineers, the importance of creating a supportive onboarding experience, and the misconceptions surrounding high-performing engineers.

Additionally, they reflect on the realities of management and the emotional dynamics that influence decision-making within organizations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to FastAPI and Starlette

01:50 Involvement in Django and Open Source Events

04:17 Understanding the Python Software Foundation

07:02 The Journey to Software Engineering

09:43 The Importance of Onboarding

12:09 Measuring Developer Experience and Impact

15:03 The Honeymoon Period in New Employment

17:52 Empathy in Leadership and Management Decisions

22:49 The Importance of Team Commitment

24:30 Onboarding and Documentation: The Foundation of Care

26:33 Debunking the Myth of 10x Engineers

29:48 Collaboration vs. Isolation in Software Engineering

33:00 Effective Knowledge Sharing in Large Teams

37:17 Transitioning to Management: Surprises and Realities

44:06 The Value of an MBA for Software Engineering Leaders

Robert's Links:

robertroskam.com

John's Links:

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:

Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways:

Many software engineers are not involved in open source or community events.

Soft skills are crucial for making projects successful.

Onboarding is a critical period for new hires to learn and integrate into the company culture.

Organizations often underestimate the time it takes for new hires to become productive.

The concept of 10x engineers is often misunderstood; true value comes from collaboration and team dynamics.

Effective onboarding can significantly reduce the time to first meaningful contribution.

Emotional factors often drive organizational decisions more than rationality.

An MBA can provide useful insights, but it's not necessary for all management roles.

The best engineers are those who elevate their teammates and foster collaboration.

All departments within an organization must work together for overall success.

Coding Chats episode 32 - John Crickett and Loris Cro discuss the Zig programming language, its community, and various ways to learn and apply Zig. Loris emphasizes the importance of project-based learning, the unique features of Zig, and how it is being used in production by various companies. Loris also shares insights on how to get involved with the Zig community and contribute to its growth.

Chapters

00:00 Learning Zig Through Projects

04:58 Community and Learning Resources

06:49 Zig in Production: Real-World Applications

12:23 Understanding Zig's Unique Features

18:07 Getting Involved with the Zig Community

Loris's links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristoff-it/

Jonathan Marler's talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPWFLkHRIAQ

John's Links:

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways

Zig is a simple language that emphasizes debugging applications over language complexity.

Project-based learning is effective for mastering Zig.

Ziglings offers a hands-on approach for beginners to learn Zig.

Companies like Tiger Beetle and BUN are using Zig in production.

Zig's unique features include first-class support for no standard library.

Zig allows for cross-compilation, making it versatile for different architectures.

Community involvement is crucial for learning and contributing to Zig.

Zig promotes a bottom-up approach to software development.

Events like Zig Days foster collaboration and community building.

Software You Can Love conference highlights innovative software development perspectives.

Coding Chats episode 31 - John Crickett interviews Loris Cro about the Zig programming language and the Zig Foundation.

They discuss the innovative features of Zig, including its unique approach to metaprogramming with Comp time, its role as a C and C++ compiler, and the benefits of using Zig for cross-compilation.

Loris explains the structure and mission of the Zig Foundation, emphasizing its independence from big tech and its commitment to fostering a vibrant community. The conversation also delves into the development of the Zig compiler, its transition to being self-hosted, and the future of Zig in the programming landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Zig Programming Language

03:31 Understanding Nonprofit Structure and Community Engagement

06:22 Innovative Features of Zig: Comptime and Cross-Compilation

09:02 Exploring Metaprogramming with Comptime

11:50 Benefits of Using Zig for C and C++ Projects

15:07 Zig's Unique Approach to Compiler Design

18:05 Incremental Compilation and Performance Improvements

37:01 The Promise of Faster Compilation

38:20 Learning Zig Through Projects

Loris's links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristoff-it/

John's Links:

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:

Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways

Zig is a lower-level programming language that provides raw access to machine power.

The Zig Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization without backing from big tech.

Community engagement is crucial for the growth and success of Zig.

Comptime is a unique feature of Zig that allows for innovative metaprogramming.

Zig supports cross-compilation for C and C++ projects, enhancing portability.

The Zig compiler has transitioned to being self-hosted, improving productivity.

Zig aims to provide instant builds for a better development experience.Incremental compilation and in-place binary patching are key features being developed.

Zig's approach to metaprogramming is clearer and more manageable than traditional macros.

The future of Zig looks promising with ongoing improvements in compiler performance.

Coding Chats episode 30 - Tom Hill and John Crickett discuss Tom's transition into technical advisory roles, exploring the concept of a portfolio career, the differences between fractional executives and board advisors, and the essential skills required for success in these positions. He emphasizes the importance of communication, understanding business dynamics, and navigating the complexities of the job market, particularly in the context of AI's impact on software engineering. Tom also shares insights from his unique career journey, from sound engineering to becoming a tech advisor.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Career Transitions: From Tech to Advisory Roles

03:24 Understanding Fractional Executives vs. Board Advisors

06:14 The Role of a Board Advisor: Responsibilities and Engagements

09:00 The Importance of Communication in Advisory Roles

12:06 Politics and Influence in Leadership

14:42 AI's Impact on Software Engineering: Myths and Realities

17:50 The Journey to Becoming a Technical Advisor

28:11 Navigating the Job Market Challenges

30:51 The Rise of Niche Recruitment

34:08 Transitioning to Tech Advisory

37:03 Understanding Business Financials

43:08 From Music to Tech: A Unique Journey

Tom's Links:

Tom's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhill-uk/John's Links:

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways:

Tom Hill has embraced a portfolio career, combining various advisory roles.

Fractional executives focus on outcomes rather than just time spent.

Board advisors provide guidance without operational involvement.

Effective communication is crucial for translating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Politics is inherent in business dynamics, and navigating it is essential.

AI serves as an efficiency tool but won't replace software engineers soon.

The job market is currently chaotic, with many candidates and roles available.

Building skills for advisory roles involves understanding business fundamentals.

Tom's career path reflects a journey of continuous learning and adaptation.

Transitioning from technical roles to advisory positions requires a shift in perspective.

Coding Chats episode 29 - John Crickett and Sarah Gruneisen delve into the complexities of leadership, particularly in the engineering field. They discuss the challenges faced by individuals transitioning from technical roles to leadership positions, emphasizing the need for proper training and emotional intelligence. Sarah shares her insights on the importance of self-reflection, vulnerability, and understanding different personality types, including introverts as effective leaders. The discussion also touches on the pitfalls of agile methodologies when not implemented correctly and the necessity of connecting engineers with business goals to foster a productive environment.

Chapters

00:00 The Transition to Leadership

03:50 Challenges of Leadership Training

08:35 The Importance of Self-Awareness

13:00 Empowering Teams and Leadership Styles

16:42 The Journey to Leadership Coaching20:52 Understanding Emotional Intelligence

29:36 Empathy and Its Many Forms

33:09 Introverts as Effective Leaders

35:39 The Power of Introverted Leadership

40:28 Agile vs. Not Agile: Understanding the Framework

50:34 Connecting Engineers with Business Needs

55:36 Embracing the Dragon Within: Leadership and Empathy

Sarah's Links:

Sarah's Book: https://www.avagasso.com/shop

Sarah's Leadership program: https://www.avagasso.com/lead

Sarah's Services: https://www.avagasso.com/offers

John's Links:

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways:

Many individuals promoted to leadership lack proper training.

Emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership.

Self-reflection and vulnerability are key traits for leaders.Introverts can be effective leaders with the right skills.

Agile methodologies often fail due to lack of understanding.

Leaders should connect with their teams on a personal level.

Empathy can be developed and is essential for leadership.

Engineers need to understand business needs to thrive.

Leadership is about inspiring and empowering others.

Creating a safe environment for teams is vital for productivity.

Coding Chats episode 28 - Jonathan Marler discusses his journey as a programmer, focusing on his experiences with the Zig and D programming languages.

He shares insights into the philosophies behind these languages, their applications in software development, and the challenges of cross-compilation. The discussion also covers his transition from a large corporation (HP) to a small startup (Tuple), the importance of pair programming, and the handmade philosophy in software development. Jonathan emphasizes the value of simplicity in programming languages and tools, and he shares practical examples of how Zig has been beneficial in his work.

Jonathan's Links:

https://github.com/marler8997

https://twitch.tv/johnnymarler

https://www.youtube.com/@jonathanmarler5808

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-marler-467585159/

You can find Tuple here: https://tuple.app

John's Links:

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:

Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways

Jonathan has been an engineer for about 15 years. He transitioned from D to Zig for its simplicity.

Zig's philosophy focuses on keeping the language small and simple.

D is a kitchen sink language with many features.

Zig aims to circumvent the standard C library.

Tuple is a tool for pair programming that enhances collaboration.

Pair programming can be more motivating and effective for problem-solving.

The handmade philosophy emphasizes writing good software with longevity.

Zig allows for cross-compilation out of the box.

Jonathan enjoys working in a small company for its impact and motivation.

Coding Chats episode 27 - John Crickett and Lane Wagner discuss the inception and evolution of Boot.dev, a platform designed to teach backend development, particularly focusing on the Go programming language.

He shares insights into the challenges of learning backend development compared to frontend, the appeal of Go for its simplicity and performance, and his experiences transitioning to TypeScript.

Lane also addresses the role of Python in learning programming fundamentals and shares his thoughts on the impact of AI on the software development industry, emphasizing that while AI is a valuable tool, it is not a replacement for human engineers.

Lane's Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wagslane/

https://www.boot.dev/

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Coding Chats episode 26 - John Crickett talks to Dennis Kennetz about:

the world of High Performance Computing (HPC), exploring its definition, differences from traditional development, and the significance of batch scheduling. They discuss the role of CUDA and GPUs in enhancing computational efficiency, the challenges of data movement, and the importance of correctness in software development. The conversation also highlights the balance between developer time and compute time, emphasizing the need for effective resource management in HPC applications. Finally, they provide insights into resources for learning more about HPC and CUDA programming.

Dennis's Links:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-kennetz/
• Newsletter - https://substack.com/@dkennetz
• Github with CUDA Examples - https://github.com/drkennetz/cuda_examples

John's Links:

• John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/
• John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett
• John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett
• John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:

• Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.
• Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Coding Chats episode 25 - Eric Mariasis and John Crickett discuss the challenges faced by individuals entering the software engineering field, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and continuous learning. He highlights the significance of networking, building genuine relationships, and leveraging past interview experiences for future opportunities. Eric also shares insights on the value of sharing knowledge on platforms like LinkedIn, the benefits of freelancing, and the role of mentorship in career development. The discussion touches on the impact of AI on job roles and the future of work, particularly in the context of remote collaboration.

GUEST's Links:

• Eric's LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/careercodepro
• Eric's Substack - https://substack.com/@ericmariasis1?r=5h4vvx
• Eric's Website - https://careercodepro.com

John's Links:

• John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/
• John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett
• John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett
• John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:

• Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.
• Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Coding Chats episode 24 - how do you create your own luck so you get more job opportunities and promotion opportunities as a software engineer? In this episode John discusses how software engineers can create their own luck in their careers. He introduces the concept of 'luck surface area,' which suggests that the more passionate and active you are in your field, the more opportunities will arise. He emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand, sharing expertise, and networking to enhance career growth and seize serendipitous opportunities.

Takeaways

You can create your own luck as a software engineer.
The amount of serendipity is directly proportional to your passion and communication.
Luck is equal to doing multiplied by telling. Building a personal brand is essential for career growth. Engaging with your audience can clarify your thoughts and improve your skills.
Networking both online and offline increases your luck surface area.
Sharing original content can resonate with your audience and create opportunities.
Internal communication within your organization can promote your personal brand.
Maintaining relationships with knowledgeable individuals raises your own expertise.
Documenting achievements helps in career advancement and job applications.

Links:

• John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/
• John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett
• John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett
• John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Newsletters:

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:

Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.