I’ve worked in software engineering organizations for more than 20 years. At some point every software developer is asked the question they’ve been dreading. “How long will it take you to build this feature?” The developer freezes. Panic sets in. Visions of the future appear. They didn’t meet their estimate…

What if I told you the best way to retain your employees was to sit down with them every few weeks and have a conversation about them leaving your company? This strategy works. It seems counterintuitive, but think about it this way. The absolutely worst time to have a conversation…

I own a car, but I try to use it infrequently. If I can walk, or bicycle or take public transportation I’ll do that. It’s a personal choice. I like the time being in the world, surrounded by people with time to think, read or not-think. What I give up…

Have you had to resolve conflict or a difference of an opinion between two team members? If you haven’t, you will eventually and you need to learn that conflict resolution isn’t about finding out who is right or playing referee. Let me tell you the story of Talia Jane. Talia…

Humans have a surprising capacity for self-delusion. Have you ever said “When Santa Claus / the Easter Bunny / the Tooth Fairy visit?” Do you talk to your pet like it can understand you? Repeat something often enough and it becomes surprisingly real. these are examples of benign and harmless…

Last weekend saw the culmination of the American NFL season with the Denver Broncos, lead by veteran Peyton Manning, getting the victory over the Carolina Panthers, lead by 26 year old Cam Newton. A lot of the attention since the game has been on Cam Newton’s post game press conference…

There’s growing research that writing a gratitude list every day is beneficial to health and happiness. Gratitude lists can improve overall health, make it easier to create healthy habits and lower your chance of depression. It’s simple, it’s free and it makes a difference. The feel good feeling from writing…

from Questions for the Reflective Manager. — Casey is considering taking his first management position at a Series B round company entering a growth phase. He just finished a stint at a small startup which was acquired and hadn’t grown enough to need managers. …

I wrote recently about how people often say “sorry” when it isn’t necessary. It’s playoff season in the NFL and that time of year where a single mistake makes the difference between the end of your season and staying in the hunt for the Super Bowl. …