Is the Present Software Tester the Therapist?
summary
Claims that testers need hard people skills not just tech skills, backed by concrete methods: use motivational interviewing (claimed evidence‑based) to elicit change talk, use Lego Serious Play to model team dynamics, and practice three scaled questions (importance, confidence, need) plus active listening. Presents the actionable framework of four locks (desire, need, reason, possibility) and recommends reallocating learning time (suggested target: 20% to people skills).
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chapters (11)
- 0:00Introduction
- 3:59Four essential tester skills
- 7:16Testers often unheard
- 11:11Balancing primary and secondary processes
- 14:46Addictive management behaviors
- 17:59Motivational interviewing for collaboration
- 23:17Four locks preventing change
- 25:04Self-reflection exercise
- 28:57Scaling growth with small steps
- 31:26Active listening in meetings
- 33:58Conclusion
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