Personal and direct Notes from Frontend Masters Course “Software Developer Success: Soft Skills & Testing”
- Build relationships of trust with those around you (story time…).
You can be an amazing developer, but if you don’t build trust with the people around you, you won’t be given the opportunities that lead to career growth.
When a project becomes more complex, it requires more collaboration. And if you’re not someone who can be trusted to work well with others, you’re gonna find yourself stuck on the sidelines, possibly facing career stagnation.
Even If you’re not aggressive or arrogant, even small actions what we might call microaggressions or trust busters can have a similar impact over time. Maybe you cut people off in meetings, or you keep mispronouncing someone’s name, or you’re quick to dismiss others’ ideas. These behaviors, even if unintentional, can erode trust over time and when trust starts to slip, so the opportunities that you see.
It’s a culture where everybody wins. This means creating a safe environment where no one is thrown under the bus and everyone’s brought to the finish line together. By avoiding judging, blaming or shaming, you also contribute to this team dynamic that builds trust, and people can sense that, and they’ll want to work with you.
The accumulation of opportunities leads to massive growth.
Good solutions speak for themselves.
Build relationships
Why
- Mistakes and asking for help are easier when you have a relationship.
- Gain insights.
- Future job opportunities.
How
- Regular face time with work-adjacent conversations.
- Take an interest in them and practice active listening to help you get to know them.
Sample Starter Questions
- How’s your project going in your perspective?
- How are you feeling about [RECENT_COMPANY_UPDATE] (e.g. restructuring)? Why?
Connection superpower: Active Listening
Story Takeaways
- Connection is for everyone: Creating connections with others is not just for extroverts! Even those with social anxiety can develop this skill.
- Start with genuine intent: Begin with a true desire to understand the other person. This authenticity is crucial for building trust.
- Utilize Active Listening: Use active listening skills to foster connection. Make the other person feel heard and understood.
Active Listening Tactics
Label emotions: Label the emotions that you notice to see if you understood how they felt, and to help you empathize.