Do you make things easier for those around you?

It's a simple question, but it makes us think about the impact of our words and actions. Each interaction is an opportunity to create lift or drag.

Lift and Drag are common aviation concepts. Lift propels planes upward while drag pulls planes back. This analogy fits our roles in tech teams. Are we forces that elevate others (lift), or do we hold them back (drag)?

Let's explore how this plays out in different team dynamics.

Your Development Team

Creating drag in your team can lead to significant setbacks. Here's what it can mean for your fellow engineers:

• Reduced Collaboration
• Limited Feedback
• Poor Communication
• Less Knowledge Sharing

The good news is there are some easy ways to create lift for your teammates:

1. Respect Others' Time & Effort: Respond promptly to requests, like when someone requests a code review. You can respond, "I'll review this in the next hour," to acknowledge their request and set clear expectations.
2. Provide Detailed Information: When submitting code, include comprehensive comments or documentation. This not only aids in understanding but also respects your team's effort in deciphering complex changes.
3. Show You Listened: Actively engage in discussions, especially during problem-solving sessions. If a team member highlights an issue, follow up with specific suggestions or offer help, demonstrating that you value and understand their input.

Your Non-Engineer Co-workers

Just as with your fellow developers, how you interact with your non-engineer co-workers can create lift or drag. Here's how negative interactions can impact them:

• Misalignment with Project Goals
• Inefficient Workflows
• Misunderstandings or Miscommunications

Fortunately, you can create a positive impact with these simple actions:

1. Use Approachable Language: Communicate technical concepts in clear, jargon-free language. This makes discussions more inclusive and ensures that complex ideas are accessible to all team members, fostering better understanding and collaboration.
2. Seek and Incorporate Feedback: Ask for feedback from non-engineering colleagues. Their insights can provide a different perspective, contributing to more well-rounded and user-centric solutions.
3. Acknowledge Their Contributions: Regularly recognize and appreciate the efforts and achievements of your non-engineer colleagues. Whether in team meetings or company-wide updates, acknowledging their work fosters a culture of mutual respect and encourages cross-functional teamwork.

Your Manager

Creating drag for your manager is often the most significant reason software engineers cannot grow their careers. Here are some ways drag can stifle your next promotion:

• Increases Managerial Overhead
• Lowers Trust & Reliability
• Impacts Team Morale & Productivity

To ensure you are creating lift for your manager, focus on the following:

1. Communicate Early and Often: Regularly update your manager on your progress and any challenges you encounter. Managers appreciate being kept in the loop and dislike surprises, especially those that could have been anticipated or mitigated.
2. Provide Solutions to Problems: When encountering an issue, don't just present the problem. Offer potential solutions or approaches to resolving it. This proactive stance demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and reduces the decision-making load on your manager.
3. Be a Resource for Those Around You: Help and support your colleagues when they face challenges. Being a go-to person for your teammates eases your manager's workload and shows your leadership potential.

In each interaction, assess whether you're contributing to lift or drag. Your aim should be to support and uplift your entire team, making your workspace more efficient, effective, and positively charged.

What are your strategies for creating lift for those around you? I'm all ears - hit reply, and let's discuss!

Regards,

David Ziemann Founder of MoreThanCoders.com​ ​david@morethancoders.com​