Everyone writes their own notes for dos and don'ts consolidated from their experiences. These are just some of mine I have learned over the years.
- Ask for the incentives you believe you deserve
Ask for what you want. There are no mind readers here. Your manager is a person whose job is to get results from you. Ensuring you get what you deserve is your job, not his. If you don't
speak up, he'll neither know nor care. There are no repercussions if your manager doesn't agree
with you. Doesn't harm anything, neither you nor your relationship with your manager.
- Speak up against what you believe is a sexist remark.
You don't have to put up with it. It's your right to expect equal treatment. If your manager
expresses concerns over your quitting your position post-marriage, stop him right there. If your
co-worker says you should dress up to brighten up the office environment, speak up and object.
Same goes for being told you are too dressed up to be a developer.
- Raise questions during discussions
Don't be shy if you think something isn't right during a technical discussion. Remember, you
were asked to join the conversation because someone in the room thought you had
something to contribute. The higher up people are in the food chain, the further they are from
ground reality and more the reason they need to hear from you if something in the design isn't
right. Raising/Asking questions isn't a good/nice to have quality. It is a core requirement if you
want your end product to be good.
- Don't force yourself to fit into any stereotype
While this holds true for everyone in every walk of life, as a software developer, you can be interested in shoes, clothes and all kinds of bling and still be respected for your technical know-how.You don't have to show up in worn-out jeans and talk shop all the time to be a 'true' developer. Guys never worry about being perceived as anything based on what they wear/talk. You don't have to either.
- Don't get too emotional about anything. And don't over-analyze things either.
You love your job, that's great. But not at the cost of your growth. Don't get into the 'Mother
Teresa syndrome' and get things done even when they aren't your responsibility. And if you do,
make sure people know about it and give you credit for it. It is not belittling yourself to talk
about your accomplishments. You don't have to boast, but make sure you do get the credit you
should. If you don't, someone else will (even inadvertently). And stop finding hidden messages
in everything that is said. Most of the times things are simply what they are and nothing else. If
someone wants to tell you something, it is their responsibility to convey it as clearly and
concisely as possible and they will.
- Ask for the incentives you believe you deserve
Ask for what you want. There are no mind readers here. Your manager is a person whose job is to get results from you. Ensuring you get what you deserve is your job, not his. If you don't
speak up, he'll neither know nor care. There are no repercussions if your manager doesn't agree
with you. Doesn't harm anything, neither you nor your relationship with your manager.
- Speak up against what you believe is a sexist remark.
You don't have to put up with it. It's your right to expect equal treatment. If your manager
expresses concerns over your quitting your position post-marriage, stop him right there. If your
co-worker says you should dress up to brighten up the office environment, speak up and object.
Same goes for being told you are too dressed up to be a developer.
- Raise questions during discussions
Don't be shy if you think something isn't right during a technical discussion. Remember, you
were asked to join the conversation because someone in the room thought you had
something to contribute. The higher up people are in the food chain, the further they are from
ground reality and more the reason they need to hear from you if something in the design isn't
right. Raising/Asking questions isn't a good/nice to have quality. It is a core requirement if you
want your end product to be good.
- Don't force yourself to fit into any stereotype
While this holds true for everyone in every walk of life, as a software developer, you can be interested in shoes, clothes and all kinds of bling and still be respected for your technical know-how.You don't have to show up in worn-out jeans and talk shop all the time to be a 'true' developer. Guys never worry about being perceived as anything based on what they wear/talk. You don't have to either.
- Don't get too emotional about anything. And don't over-analyze things either.
You love your job, that's great. But not at the cost of your growth. Don't get into the 'Mother
Teresa syndrome' and get things done even when they aren't your responsibility. And if you do,
make sure people know about it and give you credit for it. It is not belittling yourself to talk
about your accomplishments. You don't have to boast, but make sure you do get the credit you
should. If you don't, someone else will (even inadvertently). And stop finding hidden messages
in everything that is said. Most of the times things are simply what they are and nothing else. If
someone wants to tell you something, it is their responsibility to convey it as clearly and
concisely as possible and they will.
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