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  • 3 min read

Effective Leadership in a Technical Role

Welcome to "Continuous Improvement," the podcast where we discuss strategies, tips, and insights to help you excel as a leader in the tech industry. I'm your host, Victor, a seasoned software engineer turned leader, and in today's episode, we'll be diving into a topic that is essential for anyone looking to transition into a leadership role – "Developing Leadership Skills in the Tech Industry."

As a software engineer, you are accustomed to focusing on completing tasks and ensuring technical excellence. But as you progress in your career, you'll realize that technical expertise alone is not enough to succeed in the tech industry. You'll need to navigate through a variety of issues and crises on a daily basis. The good news is, with an open mind and continuous learning, you can develop the skills required to lead a team effectively.

To begin with, it's crucial to understand the fundamental principles of leadership. As you climb the ladder, your responsibilities will shift from completing tasks to providing direction, guiding others, and considering overarching corporate strategies. That's what the title "Director" signifies – someone who knows the destination and leads the team towards it. So, my advice is to stay curious, learn about your company's decision-making processes, and always be open to asking questions and seeking knowledge.

Leadership doesn't always mean being overbearing or extremely extroverted. In fact, there are six different leadership styles that cater to different situations. Let's take a quick look at them:

  1. Coercive Leadership, effective during crises.
  2. Authoritative Leadership, inspiring others through vision.
  3. Affiliative Leadership, focusing on team unity.
  4. Democratic Leadership, building consensus.
  5. Coaching Leadership, aiming for individual growth.
  6. Pacesetting Leadership, setting performance standards.

It's important to understand your own leadership style and adapt it to suit different scenarios and team dynamics. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your style may need to change as the team progresses and faces various challenges.

To be an effective leader, you must know both yourself and your team members. Each individual has unique strengths and weaknesses, and it's your role to guide the team towards achieving its goals. This involves setting objectives, fostering teamwork, communicating clearly, and collaborating with stakeholders. Fairness is crucial when resolving conflicts within the team. Recognize and reward positive contributions while addressing any negative impacts. And above all, lead by example – your actions speak louder than words, making you a role model for the team.

Managing a team requires not only competence but also emotional intelligence. Understanding each team member's needs, work styles, relationships, and conflicts is essential. Formal and respectful communication fosters an environment of mutual respect and cooperation.

Thriving as a leader in the tech industry requires more than just technical skills. It involves envisioning the future, showing determination, displaying integrity and commitment, exuding confidence, and communicating effectively. Additionally, you should demonstrate creativity, inspire your team, foster collaboration, and be authentic in your leadership approach.

I hope you find the insights and strategies discussed in this episode helpful as you develop the self-awareness required to become an effective leader. Remember, you don't have to wait for permission to step up – take the initiative when urgent issues arise. Be proactive in seeking the resources you need because, in a world with a shortage of effective leaders, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact.

Thank you for joining me today on "Continuous Improvement." If you found value in this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more insightful discussions on leadership in the tech industry. Until next time, keep improving and leading with confidence!

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

在技術角色中的有效領導力

作為一名軟件工程師，你可能最終會提升到領導職位。然而，你很快就會發現，僅憑技術專業知識並不足以在科技行業取得成功。您還必須每天管理各種問題和危機。壞消息是，你最初可能並不具備有效領導團隊所需的管理質素。好消息是，擁有開放的思維和持續學習，你可以隨著時間的推移發展這些技能。

首先，你需要理解基本的領導原則。作為一名初級成員，你的重點主要是完成分配的任務。隨著你在職位中的提升，你需要承擔更大的責任，參與跨功能團隊活動，接手項目管理職責，並考慮公司的整體策略。"主管"這個頭銜是什麼意思？這意味著提供方向，知道您的目的地，並引導他人前往。因此，我的建議是保持好奇心。嘗試理解您公司的決策過程，並始終對學習和提問保持開放的態度。

成為一名領導者並不一定意味著要強勢或極度外向。研究顯示，有六種不同的領導風格，每種風格適合不同的情況。這些包括：

  1. 強制型領導 - 在危機中有效。
  2. 權威型領導 - 通過願景激勵他人。
  3. 附屬型領導 - 著重團隊團結。
  4. 民主型領導 - 建立共識。
  5. 教練型領導 - 致力於個人成長。
  6. 節奏型領導 - 設定績效標準。

理解你的領導風格可以幫助你適應各種場景。沒有一種通用的解決方案；您需要根據團隊在不同階段的需求調整您的風格。

要成為一個有效的領導者，你必須了解自己和你的團隊成員。每個成員都有他們自己的優點和弱點，你的角色是指導團隊實現其目標。這涉及到設定目標，建立一個團結的團隊，清晰地溝通，並與利益相關者協作。在解決內部衝突時，公正至關重要。認可和獎勵積極的貢獻，同時解決任何對團隊產生負面影響的問題。首先，通過身教來領導。你的行動比你的話語更響亮，使你成為他人的榜樣。

管理一個團隊需要能力和情商。您需要理解每個成員的獨特需要並處理團隊內各種工作風格、關係和衝突。你的溝通應該是正式和尊重的，樹立起互相尊重和合作的環境。

要成為科技行業的領導者，您不僅需要技術技能，還需要有看到未來的能力，展現決心，展示誠信和承諾，散發自信，並能有效地溝通。除此之外，您應該展現創造力，激勵您的團隊，促進合作，並保持真實。

我希望您會發現本文對於發展成為一個有效領導者所需的自我覺察能力有所幫助。在某些時候，你需要挺身而出，特別是當緊急問題出現時。你不必等待上級的許可，他們可能並不最適合處理這種情況。主動尋求你需要的資源。記住，人們常常過於聚焦於他們自己的責任而忽視了你的需求。鑑於全球領導力的短缺，我鼓勵你主動出擊，應對我們所有人所面對的迫切挑戰。

  • 3 min read

The Importance of Communication as a Software Developer

Let me explain why software developers need to be good communicators. Although it may seem self-evident, this skill will significantly impact your career. I say this from personal experience, having learned the hard way. As a team leader, your communication skills are essential during job interviews, progress reviews, and appraisals. You don't want to place yourself at a competitive disadvantage. There are numerous situations where good communication skills are critical, including:

How to Conduct a Good Demo: When designing and building a product, you must regularly demonstrate completed work to your team and key stakeholders. In Agile software development, sprint demos are integral to every iteration. Regardless of the product you’re building—be it an app, a website, or even a physical item—well-executed demos improve cross-team collaboration, build trust with stakeholders, boost team morale, and allow the team to adapt based on feedback and change. This is true even for more challenging subjects like APIs and back-end services.

Working in Cross-Functional Teams: We help organizations build products and services that meet the rapidly changing demands of their industries. Regular product demos are essential for our cross-functional teams, client product owners, engineers, and designers to communicate effectively, celebrate progress, and deliver value quickly.

In this chapter, I've gathered insights on why demos are important, along with tips for running great ones.

Demos Help Us Build Better Products: Regular demos provide a short feedback loop, allowing teams to adjust quickly and ensure they're building the right product. They also surface dependencies or duplicate efforts early, highlighting opportunities for collaboration across broader programs.

Improving Team Morale: We run a bi-weekly team demo on my current project. These sessions often lead to cross-team discussions about previously unconsidered issues, enabling quick resolutions before they become blockers.

Feedback Is Essential: Don't hesitate to refine your demo format based on feedback, ensuring maximum benefit for both your team and stakeholders.

Strengthening Stakeholder Relationships: Demos help in engaging stakeholders in the development process, thereby building trust and showcasing incremental delivery of valuable working software.

Team Development: Demos allow team members to develop presentation skills and interact more closely with stakeholders. They offer a rare chance for developers, especially those in early career stages, to hone their presentation skills.

Some Tips for Running Great Product Demos:

  • Zoom Out: Always provide context. Make sure to set the scene and focus on user benefits.
  • Tell a Story: Keep the audience engaged by sharing challenges you've overcome and what you've learned.
  • Go Slow, Keep It Simple: Present at a pace that the audience can follow and avoid jargon.
  • Preparation Is Key: Always rehearse and have your demo set up in advance to maintain audience engagement.

In summary, good communication is vital. Engage in meaningful conversations and share valuable perspectives. Maintain a positive attitude to build confidence, especially if you're introverted.

For public speaking, imagine you're talking to a friend. Be genuine and listen to your audience. Remember, how you say something is often more memorable than what you say. Speak slowly, especially if English is not your first language. These tips have worked for me, and I hope they will for you too. Next time, speak with intention, slow down, and breathe. Let me know what you think, and perhaps we can collaborate now that you understand the importance of communication better.

  • in podcast
  • 3 min read

The Importance of Communication as a Software Developer

Hello everyone, and welcome to "Continuous Improvement," the podcast that's all about personal and professional growth. I'm your host, Victor, and today we're going to dive into a topic that may seem obvious but is often underestimated—why software developers need to be good communicators.

As a team leader in the software development industry, I've learned firsthand the impact that communication skills can have on one's career. It's not just about writing code or solving technical challenges; being able to effectively communicate ideas, progress, and feedback is crucial in our field.

One area where good communication skills are essential is in conducting a good demo. Regardless of what you're building—a website, an app, or even a physical product—a well-executed demo can improve cross-team collaboration, build trust with stakeholders, and boost team morale. It's a chance to showcase your work and gather valuable feedback.

Working in cross-functional teams is another situation where strong communication skills are critical. Collaboration between engineers, designers, and client product owners is essential for delivering value quickly and meeting the demands of our dynamic industries.

So, how can we improve our communication skills when it comes to demos and working in teams? Let's explore some tips from the blog post.

One of the key takeaways is the importance of providing context during a demo. Zooming out and setting the scene helps the audience understand the user benefits and the purpose behind the product or feature you're presenting.

Another valuable tip is to tell a story during your demo. Sharing the challenges you've overcome and the lessons you've learned keeps the audience engaged and shows your problem-solving abilities.

Speaking at a pace that the audience can follow and avoiding jargon is crucial. Going slow and keeping it simple ensures that everyone understands what you're presenting, regardless of their technical background.

Preparation is also key. Rehearse your demo and have everything set up in advance to maintain audience engagement and avoid any technical hiccups.

Beyond just the technical aspects, good communication skills during demos and in cross-functional teams can lead to multiple benefits. They help build better products through quick feedback loops, improve team morale by encouraging discussions and resolutions, and strengthen stakeholder relationships by engaging them in the development process.

Lastly, developing your presentation skills and interacting more closely with stakeholders are additional advantages of regularly conducting demos. It's an opportunity for personal growth and honing your abilities, especially for those in the early stages of their careers.

Remember, good communication is not just about public speaking or demos; it's about engaging in meaningful conversations, sharing valuable perspectives, and building positive relationships with others.

I hope the insights from today's episode have highlighted the importance of communication in our field and provided you with some valuable tips for improving your own skills. Speak with intention, slow down, and breathe. I'm sure you'll see the positive impact it can have on your career.

That wraps up this episode of "Continuous Improvement." Thank you for joining me today. If you have any thoughts or questions, I'd love to hear from you. You can reach out to me through our podcast website. Until next time, keep striving for improvement in all that you do.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

作為軟體開發人員的溝通重要性

讓我解釋為什麼軟體開發人員需要有良好的溝通能力。盡管這似乎是不言而喻的，但這個技能對你的職業生涯影響極大。作為一名團隊領導，你的溝通技巧在工作面試、進度評估和評價中都非常重要。你絕對不希望自己在競爭中處於劣勢。有許多情況下，良好的溝通技巧至關重要，包括：

如何進行良好的示範：在設計和構建一個產品時，你必須定期向你的團隊和主要的利害關係人展示已完成的工作。在敏捷軟體開發中，每個迭代都是不可或缺的。無論你正在構建什麼產品——無論是一個應用程序、一個網站，還是一個實物——精心執行的演示會改善跨團隊的協作，建立與持份者的信任，提高團隊士氣，並允許團隊根據反饋和變化進行調整。即使對於像API和後端服務這樣更具挑戰性的主題，這一點也是如此。

在跨功能團隊中工作：我們幫助組織建立產品和服務，以滿足他們所處行業的快速變化需求。我們的跨功能團隊、客戶產品擁有者、工程師和設計師需要定期進行產品演示，以有效地溝通、慶祝進步，並快速提供價值。

在這一篇文章中，我收集了為什麼演示重要以及如何進行出色演示的見解和技巧。

演示幫助我們建造更好的產品：定期的演示為團隊提供了一個短期的反饋迴圈，讓團隊能夠快速調整並確保他們正在建造正確的產品。他們也提前將重複的努力或依賴關係表面化，突出了廣泛項目中跨區域合作的機會。

提高團隊士氣：我們在當前的項目中每兩週進行一次團隊演示。這些會議通常會引導出跨團隊對以前未考慮過的問題的討論，從而在問題成為障礙之前快速解決。

反饋至關重要：不要猶豫根據反饋來調整你的演示格式，確保你的團隊和利害關係人都能受益。

強化與持份者的關係：演示有助於吸引持份者參與開發過程，從而建立信任並展示有價值的軟體逐步交付。

團隊發展：演示讓團隊成員有機會提升演示技巧並與利害關係人更密切互動。它們提供了一個千載難逢的機會讓開發者，特別是那些處於職業生涯初期的人，來磨練他們的演示技巧。

一些進行出色產品演示的技巧：

  • 放大視野：總是提供上下文。確保設置場景並專注於用戶利益。
  • 講一個故事：通過分享你已經克服的挑戰和你所學到的東西來吸引觀眾。
  • 慢下來，保持簡單：以觀眾能跟上的速度演示，並避免行話。
  • 準備得足是關鍵：要始終排練並預先準備好你的演示，以保持與觀眾的互動。

總的來說，良好的溝通至關重要。進行有意義的對話，分享有價值的觀點。保持積極的態度來建立自信，特別是如果你是內向的。

至於公開演講，想像你正在跟朋友聊天。要真誠，聆聽你的觀眾。記住，你怎麼說一些事情通常比你說什麼更具有紀念性。尤其是如果英語不是你的母語，說話要慢。這些技巧對我有用，我希望對你也有用。下次，帶著目的說話、放慢速度、並深呼吸。讓我知道你的想法，或許現在你理解溝通的重要性，我們可以合作。

  • 1 min read

Setting Up Auto-Formatting for Python in Visual Studio Code

I was writing Python code and encountered issues with formatting. These formatting problems can complicate code reviews and the use of automated tools to detect such issues. Fortunately, life becomes much easier when you integrate a formatter into your code editor to automatically fix those issues upon saving. Here's how to do it:

  1. First, install Google's yapf formatter:

pip install yapf

  1. Next, open your Visual Studio Code editor. Press “Command + Shift + P” if you're using a Mac, or “Ctrl + Shift + P” if you're on Linux. Type "Open settings (JSON)" in the search bar and add the following line:

"python.formatting.provider": "yapf"

  1. If you want your code to auto-format upon saving, rather than merely receiving tips within the editor, add this setting as well:

"editor.formatOnSave": true

  1. Optionally, if you wish to use your project's .style.yapf instead of the global styles, add the following line:

"python.formatting.yapfArgs": ["--style", ".style.yapf"]

Now you can test the auto-formatting feature. For example, if you don't have a new line at the end of your Python file and then you save it, the formatter will automatically correct this issue for you.

  • in podcast
  • 2 min read

Setting Up Auto-Formatting for Python in Visual Studio Code

Welcome back to another episode of Continuous Improvement! I'm your host, Victor. Today, we'll be talking about a common problem many Python developers face – formatting issues. We'll explore how integrating a code formatter into your editor can make your life easier. So, let's dive in!

Have you ever found yourself struggling with formatting problems while writing Python code? They can be quite troublesome, especially during code reviews and when using automated tools that detect such issues. But fear not, because I have a solution for you!

The first step is to install Google's yapf formatter. Simply open your command line or terminal and type in:

pip install yapf

Once you have yapf installed, it's time to configure your code editor – in this case, we'll be focusing on Visual Studio Code. Open VS Code and press "Command + Shift + P" if you're on a Mac, or "Ctrl + Shift + P" if you're on Linux. In the search bar, type "Open settings (JSON)" and add this line:

"python.formatting.provider": "yapf"

This step tells VS Code to use yapf as the Python code formatting provider. But we can take it a step further! If you want your code to automatically format upon saving, rather than just receiving tips within the editor, add this line as well:

"editor.formatOnSave": true

By enabling this setting, each time you save your Python file, it will be automatically formatted. This can save you a lot of time and effort.

Now, here's an optional step. If you wish to use your project's .style.yapf file instead of the global styles, add the following line to your VS Code settings:

"python.formatting.yapfArgs": ["--style", ".style.yapf"]

Including this setting allows you to customize the formatting rules according to your project's requirements. It provides even more flexibility when it comes to code formatting!

And that's it! With yapf installed and configured in Visual Studio Code, you can now enjoy the benefits of automatic code formatting. Just imagine, no more worries about missing new lines or incorrect indentation – the formatter will take care of it for you!

I encourage you to give it a try. Test the auto-formatting feature by intentionally leaving out a new line at the end of your Python file. When you save it, yapf will automatically correct this issue for you.

That brings us to the end of today's episode. I hope you found this information helpful in improving your workflow as a Python developer. Remember, continuous improvement is key to becoming better at what we do.

Thanks for tuning in to Continuous Improvement! I'm Victor, your host. Stay curious, stay dedicated, and keep striving for excellence. Until next time!

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

在Visual Studio Code中設定Python的自動格式化

我正在寫Python代碼，並遇到了格式化問題。這些格式問題可能會使代碼審查變得複雜，並對使用自動工具來檢測這些問題產生影響。幸運的是，當你將格式化工具集成到您的代碼編輯器中以在保存時自動修復這些問題時，生活會變得容易許多。這就是如何做的：

  1. 首先，安裝Google的yapf格式化工具：

pip install yapf

  1. 接著，打開你的Visual Studio Code編輯器。如果你使用的是Mac，按“Command + Shift + P”，如果你在Linux上，按“Ctrl + Shift + P”。在搜索欄中輸入"Open settings (JSON)"並添加以下行：

"python.formatting.provider": "yapf"

  1. 如果你希望你的代碼在保存時自動格式化，而不僅僅是在編輯器內部接收提示，也可以添加這個設置：

"editor.formatOnSave": true

  1. 如果你希望使用你的項目的.style.yapf而不是全局樣式，則添加以下行：

"python.formatting.yapfArgs": ["--style", ".style.yapf"]

現在你可以測試自動格式化功能。例如，如果你的Python文件末尾沒有新行，然後你保存它，格式化工具將自動為你修正這個問題。

  • 3 min read

How to Install Ubuntu Desktop on an AWS Instance Using Chrome Remote Desktop

In today's cloud-centric world, many resources have been moved to the cloud—photos, files, and servers among them. So why not your desktop environment? Imagine not needing to carry a heavy laptop. You could access your computing power from any thin client, such as a tablet with a keyboard, from anywhere. This is achievable using an AWS instance combined with Ubuntu Desktop and Chrome Remote Desktop. While there are other solutions like AWS Workspace or VNC connection, Chrome Remote Desktop offers the lowest latency and performance closest to a native desktop. Here's how to set it up:

  1. Log in to the AWS console and launch an instance using the Ubuntu Server AMI.

  1. Once the instance is launched, SSH into your Ubuntu server. Update the package manager and install wget:

sudo apt update sudo apt-get install --assume-yes wget

  1. Download the Chrome Remote Desktop package and install it:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/chrome-remote-desktop_current_amd64.deb sudo dpkg --install chrome-remote-desktop_current_amd64.deb sudo apt install --assume-yes --fix-broken

  1. Install the desktop GUI environment.

After testing various distributions, I found that Xfce performs best, especially over slow networks:

sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt install --assume-yes xfce4 desktop-base

  1. Configure Chrome Remote Desktop to use Xfce by default:

sudo bash -c 'echo "exec /etc/X11/Xsession /usr/bin/xfce4-session" > /etc/chrome-remote-desktop-session'

  1. Install xscreensaver as an alternative to the default Xfce locker, which is not compatible with remote desktop:

sudo apt install --assume-yes xscreensaver

  1. Disable the display manager, as there is no display connected:

sudo systemctl disable lightdm.service

  1. Add your user account to the Linux group and then log out:

sudo usermod -a -G chrome-remote-desktop $USER logout

  1. On your local laptop browser, open Chrome Remote Desktop's Headless Mode. Follow the steps to set up another computer. You will probably copy a command similar to this into your AWS instance:

DISPLAY= /opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/start-host --code="4/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" --redirect-url="https://remotedesktop.google.com/_/oauthredirect" --name=

  1. Finally, you can remotely connect to your Ubuntu desktop.

    Extra tip: You can display a screensaver, although it's not necessary.

You can now access your desktop environment from anywhere, using any device. This setup is especially useful for software engineers who want access to a full set of development tools at all times.

  • in podcast
  • 3 min read

How to Install Ubuntu Desktop on an AWS Instance Using Chrome Remote Desktop

Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of Continuous Improvement. I'm your host, Victor, and today we're going to talk about an innovative way to access your desktop environment from anywhere using the power of the cloud.

In today's cloud-centric world, we've moved many resources to the cloud - photos, files, and even servers. So why not your desktop environment? Imagine not needing to carry a heavy laptop and being able to access your computing power from any thin client, such as a tablet with a keyboard, from anywhere. Well, today I'm going to introduce you to a solution that combines AWS, Ubuntu Desktop, and Chrome Remote Desktop to achieve just that.

Now, there are other solutions available, like AWS Workspace or VNC connection, but Chrome Remote Desktop offers the lowest latency and performance closest to a native desktop. So let's dive into the steps to set it up.

Step one, log in to the AWS console and launch an instance using the Ubuntu Server AMI. This will be the foundation of our remote desktop environment.

Once the instance is launched, we need to SSH into the Ubuntu server. Update the package manager and install wget, which we'll need for the next step.

In step three, we download the Chrome Remote Desktop package and install it on our Ubuntu server. This will allow us to connect to the desktop environment remotely.

Now, to make the desktop environment more user-friendly, in step four, we install the Xfce desktop GUI environment. This distribution has been found to perform best, especially over slow networks.

Step five is configuring Chrome Remote Desktop to use Xfce by default. This ensures a seamless experience when connecting remotely.

In step six, we install xscreensaver as an alternative to the default Xfce locker, which is not compatible with remote desktop.

Step seven is to disable the display manager, as there is no display connected to our AWS instance.

In step eight, we add our user account to the Linux group and then log out. This ensures the user has the necessary permissions and settings for remote desktop access.

Now that we have prepared our Ubuntu server, in step nine, we switch to our local laptop browser. We navigate to Chrome Remote Desktop's Headless Mode and follow the steps to set up another computer. This will generate a command that we need to copy into our AWS instance.

And finally, once everything is set up, in step ten, we can remotely connect to our Ubuntu desktop environment using Chrome Remote Desktop. Now you can access your desktop from anywhere, using any device.

That's it for today's episode of Continuous Improvement. I hope you found this innovative solution for accessing your desktop environment remotely helpful. Whether you're a software engineer or anyone who wants access to a full set of development tools at all times, this setup can be a game-changer.

As always, if you have any questions or want to share your own continuous improvement experiences, feel free to reach out to me on our website or social media. Until next time, keep improving and embracing innovation to achieve your goals.