Mike Challis

Episode 50: Onboarding

July 10th, 2024  |  40 mins 9 secs

Episode 49: Breaking Down Work

June 26th, 2024  |  38 mins 2 secs

Episode 48: Strategies and Pitfalls of Estimation

June 13th, 2024  |  42 mins 38 secs

Episode 47: Onboarding New Employees

May 29th, 2024  |  46 mins 19 secs

The panel delves into the challenges and strategies of onboarding new employees to discuss the importance of communication, mentorship, and understanding context. Mike shares a story from his construction days in New Orleans, where he learned the value of being paired with an experienced team member. This buddy system helped him overcome communication barriers and adapt more quickly to his new environment.

Effective onboarding involves more than just providing documentation. While documentation is valuable, it must be up-to-date and supplemented with hands-on guidance and practical experience. The panel advocates for giving new employees context about their tasks and the organization. This can include having them use the software as end-users or working directly with customers to understand the system and its impact better. Regular check-ins and skills clinics are also recommended to help employees stay updated and improve their skills.

Additionally, the podcast highlights the importance of continuous learning and mentorship for all employees, not just new hires. Regular mentor-mentee interactions and collaborative updates to documentation ensure that onboarding remains practical and relevant. Panelists note the pitfalls to avoid, such as not following through on commitments and assigning unsuitable onboarding buddies. Ensuring psychological safety and fostering a supportive culture are crucial to a successful onboarding process.

Episode 45: Promoting Innovation and Collaboration

May 8th, 2024  |  34 mins 18 secs

Episode 41: Code Reviews

March 13th, 2024  |  50 mins 48 secs

Episode 40: Git

February 28th, 2024  |  47 mins 5 secs

Episode 39: Software Development and Music

February 14th, 2024  |  34 mins 52 secs

Episode 38: Burnout and Work-Life Balance

January 31st, 2024  |  41 mins 58 secs

Episode 37: Introduction to Ruby

January 17th, 2024  |  40 mins 56 secs

Episode 36: Dubugging Tools

January 3rd, 2024  |  45 mins 42 secs

Episode 34: Learning New Programming Languages

December 6th, 2023  |  44 mins 6 secs

Episode 33: How Does Modern AI Work?

November 29th, 2023  |  53 mins 34 secs

Episode 31: Should I Be A Team Lead?

November 1st, 2023  |  39 mins 30 secs

The panelists discuss the role of a team lead in a software development context. Mike shares a personal story about a family hike and draws parallels between being a team lead and guiding a group of hikers. The discussion revolves around the challenges and benefits of being a team lead, considering factors such as size, experience levels, and the balance between technical contributions and leadership responsibilities.

Afton, Matt, and Eddy share their perspectives on the role of a team lead, emphasizing that it can vary greatly depending on the team's dynamics and the individual's career goals. They discuss how being a team lead can provide opportunities for mentorship, architecture design, and a broader understanding of project management.

Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of considering one's career goals and the specific circumstances of the team when deciding whether to take on a team lead role and how it can enhance one's skill set and career trajectory.

Episode 30: Why is RSpec So Hard? (Part II)

October 25th, 2023  |  47 mins 6 secs

Episode 29: Why Is RSpec So Hard? (Part I)

October 11th, 2023  |  46 mins 20 secs