Dev Voyage: Open Ocean
- 1Part 1·4 min read·IntermediateUp next
Working With a Difficult Boss Without Losing Yourself
Arguing a cut estimate loses twice: the argument, then the date. Name the kind of difficult boss you have, find the pressure behind the demand, answer with options that trade scope for time, and recap in writing. Abuse is different: report it.
- 2Part 2·4 min read·Intermediate
Feedback Both Ways: Asking For It and Giving It
"Any feedback?" gets "looks fine" while others decide your work is hard to follow. Ask for one specific thing to change, take it without defending, and give feedback as situation, behaviour and impact, soon and in private.
- 3Part 3·5 min read·Intermediate
Say No Without Making Enemies, and Keep Your Energy
Saying yes to everyone costs your evenings, then promises you quietly break. Trade instead of refusing: say what would move and let the priority owner choose. Guard a long focus block, and take exhaustion and cynicism seriously.
- 4Part 4·4 min read·Intermediate
Keep Learning: Bringing New Tools (and AI) Into Real Work
Chasing trends wastes hours, and pushing a tool on a team can lock bugs into its tests. Learn from a real gap, then pilot a new tool, AI included, on one feature with a baseline and rules, and let the team decide on the numbers.
- 5Part 5·4 min read·Intermediate
Talk to the Business: Working With PMs and Non-Engineers
Explained in technical terms, a real problem gets a no and the fix never gets funded. Lead with the impact in money, time, risk or customers, offer options with costs, ask for one decision by a date, and translate with your PM.
- 6Part 6·4 min read·Intermediate
Ask for the Raise: Showing Your Value Without Bragging
If you never ask, your pay is still decided, just without your evidence. Ask before budgets are set, map your work to the level above, name a number, and if the answer is no, leave with what would make it yes and by when.