Practical Leadership for Software Developers
summary
Argues seven concrete leadership practices: use SMART goals with stepwise milestones, limit work to focus on one thing at a time to beat multitasking, and measure progress with small weekly targets. Recommends taking ownership (ask “have I done everything I can?”), practising gratitude and respect, and public recognition — a year-long experiment of writing a weekly tribute to coworkers produces immediate stories, high-fives and morale. Ends with a personal origin story: a gifted TRS-80 that launched a career and a reminder that small acts catalyze big impact.
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chapters (25)
- 0:00Welcome and introduction
- 0:45What is good leadership
- 2:55Common leadership mistakes
- 5:49Seven ways to unlock potential
- 7:38Leadership beyond management
- 10:30Earning trust and respect
- 12:00Living with the end in mind
- 13:52Determination practice and patience
- 15:44Setting SMART goals
- 17:31Focus over multitasking
- 21:27Life has meaning beyond being awesome
- 23:15Leave it better than you found it
- 25:02Life is too short to stay in bad jobs
- 26:51Taking ownership and responsibility
- 28:41Express appreciation regularly
- 31:35Respect as a fundamental principle
- 33:00The power of encouragement
- 35:06Practicing gratitude daily
- 36:29Overcoming fear of public speaking
- 38:35Giving back to your community
- 39:42Imposter syndrome and sharing
- 41:53Seven ways to become more awesome
- 43:20Small acts with lasting impact
- 45:34Anyone can be a leader
- 46:19Q&A on goal setting
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