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Strategies for Nurturing Your Professional Network and Professional Relationships

“It isn’t just what you know, and it isn’t just who you know. It’s actually who you know, who knows you, and what you do for a living.”
– Bob Burg (Author of the Go-Giver)

In this guest article, Alpesh Shah discusses a fascinating study that shows how most people acquire their jobs – via their networks.  He then discusses how he applied this to his life, and provides tips you can use to nurture your own professional network.

Personal Development Roadblocks – “The Situation”

We are all capable of so much more than we accomplish, and often fall short of our potential.  In this series, I’ll be discussing the personal development roadblocks that hold us back.

One excuse I often hear (and sometimes make) is how we did the best we could, and then blame our failure on “the situation.”  For example:

  • “I didn’t quite reach my goal weight, but with work and happy hours it was impossible to stick to my diet.  I would say I did pretty well, considering the situation“
  • “It might have looked like Mike dropped the ball on that one, but he did the best he could – given the situation.”
  • “I know from the outside it may have seemed irresponsible to be as late as she was, but you can’t blame her considering the situation“

In this article I discuss the root possible root causes behind this excuse, and present a five step plan for getting past “The Situation.”

A Software Engineer’s Guide To Speaking With Non-Technical Managers

The news wasn’t good, but bad news doesn’t get any better with age.  I presented our project manager with the facts:

“We can’t complete our development in time based on these ridiculous estimates” I said bluntly.  “Everyone has been behind schedule, just like we said last week.  There is no way that our team is going to make their deliverables based on the current deadline.  Our development and productivity is only going to get worse the more we are rushed.”

After the meeting, the best manager I’ve ever had, Moe Nwankwo, told me he appreciated that I had been frank – and then gave me some constructive criticism and advice I’ll never forget:

“Sid, you can’t talk to project managers like that.  You can talk to me and developers that way – but you need to speak to our PM in terms she can understand and act on.“

I did not fully absorb what he meant at the time, but as I grew as a software engineer I am amazed at how poorly I communicated my concerns in the past.  I have since learned the secret of communicating effectively with my non-technical managers.

Mental Bias – Would You Like Fries With Your Warm Fuzzy Platitudes?

Have you ever read a horoscope, taken an online personality test, or even had a keyring that told you what your personality was based solely on your name?  Were you surprised at the accuracy of what was said about you?

Perhaps what you should have been surprised by is your own gullibility. Don’t feel too bad about it though – we all do it. It’s what’s known as the Forer effect, and it’s just one aspect of mental bias.

Playing To Your Audience – A Lesson From An Enterprising English Busker

It was summer in London and the World Cup was in full swing.  As we entered the tube station, I heard a busker strumming Oasis on his  guitar down the hall. He extended the intro, and started singing the first verse -

Today is gonna be the day
That they’re gonna throw it back to you…

We tossed in 50 pence and kept walking. After we passed and he finished the verse, he went silent for 15 seconds.  We were down the hall and almost to our platform when I heard him start strumming again.  I assumed he was going to continue the song – but he didn’t.  Instead, he began singing the opening verse again - Today is gonna be the day that they’re gonna throw it back to you…

He Doesn’t Know The Lyrics?

We couldn’t believe it.  Surely he knew the lyrics?  While it is possible he didn’t, the quality of his singing, guitar playing and unmistakably being in England all suggested our busker should be  familiar with the song.  If he knew the full song, why not play it all the way through – why repeat the verse?

Why Our New Year’s Resolutions Are Doomed Before We Even Begin – And What We Can Do About It

Welcome to the end of the first week in January, the week where more  New Year’s resolutions are broken than any other.  According a study conducted in 2002, 25% of New Year’s resolutions are broken in the first week alone.   The good news is that the very act of resolving to do something increases the likelihood of succes – that same study found that,  after 6 months, those who set resolution were 10 times more likely to stick to their resolution than the non setters (46% versus 4%).  That’s great news for many of my friends, who have publicly committed on their blogs to New Year’s resolution and goals.  Over and over I see many of the same themes:

  • New Year’s resolutions to get in shape
  • New Year’s resolutions to eat better
  • New Year’s resolutions to give up smoking

I have no doubt many of them will be successful.   I’ve already discussed the importance of writing down goals, and absolutely believe that increases the likelihood of success.  Having the support and social pressure from friends is another kick in the right direction.  There’s one thing that has been missing from the discussions I’ve seen online however - how to balance these new resolutions with our prior commitments.

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