Life

Technical User Groups – The Tribe of Passionate Geeks

The bug got me in the mid-70s. My math teacher in junior high, Mr. Blumenfeld, introduced us to a fascinating contraption on a tall stool that appeared, at first glance, to be an adding machine of some sort. But the thing was programmable, and came with this very nifty manual showing all the instructions you [...]

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“Stuck” In Management, Cause #4: Misdirected Loyalty

This is the next bullet point in my continuing series on how you can find yourself “stuck” in management, and how to get yourself “unstuck.” In this post, we’ll talk about why the illusion of company loyalty somehow remains, and how you can recognize if it’s real or not. Even in the 50s, 60s and [...]

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“Stuck” In Management, Cause #3: The Temporary Commitment

This is the next bullet point in my continuing series on how you can find yourself “stuck” in management, and how to get yourself “unstuck.” In this post, we’ll talk about how you may find yourself filling a “temporary” management role that somehow became more permanent than you had planned. You’re dependable, reliable, and a natural [...]

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“Stuck” In Management, Cause #2: Time to Climb the Corporate Ladder?

This is the next bullet point in my continuing series on how you can find yourself “stuck” in management, and how to get yourself “unstuck.” In this post, we’ll talk about how you may start convincing yourself that management is where you should be at some point in your career. If, like me, you’ve been [...]

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“Stuck” in Management, Cause #1: Obligation

A few months ago, I wrote a post containing a bulleted list about how you can find yourself “stuck” in management, and how to get yourself “unstuck.” It was my most popular post, and it seems to have touched a nerve. In this post, I’ll start diving into these bullet points, and offer some potential [...]

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Taking the Leap

I’m writing a book.  A cautionary tale.  It won’t be finished until the final chapters play out.  Not sure of the format yet.  Not sure it’ll be a novel or a business book.  But in order for it to be effective, it needs to be engaging. It’s been said that publicly stating a goal will [...]

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Returning to Development from Management

I was interviewed today by Rob Conery for an upcoming episode of This Developer’s Life on this topic.  It was the first time in several years I was interviewed for a podcast, so my mind went a little blank at times.  I’m sure Rob will do a cool editing job to make it appear I [...]

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The Re-Education of a Software Developer

I’m in the process of re-directing my career back to hands-on development. This is the start of not only one of the most exciting phases I’ve ever embarked upon, but it’s also one of the most gut-wrenching and sometimes paralyzing. I’ve been in software development professionally for over a quarter century, at least a third [...]

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Reliability

As we both woke that early Saturday morning, we already knew exactly where we needed to be in an hour. It was the same every weekend morning when the Mets were at home. This morning, we did it begrudgingly, but we knew it had to be done. We washed, dressed, ate, grabbed our tickets, and [...]

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There is Always a Need for Good Software Developers

What I’m about to say does not pertain to everyone having trouble finding employment in software development during this difficult time, but DO NOT fall into the trap of automatically believing that you’re one of the exceptions.  It’s likely that you’re not. People have been asking if I had any advice for software developers who [...]

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Hypocrisy as a Management Tool

As I look back over my career, it often pains me to remember the many mistakes I’ve made. But when I push past the pain and embarrassment, I also recall how I’ve used those experiences to improve myself. It’s so true that you come to appreciate the really hard times so much more as the [...]

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