Atomic Spin :: Elements of Software

Chad Fowler gave a talk at the last XP West Michigan meeting on November 28th. Chad shared his insights about career advancement and his mindset toward personal development, learning, and growth. He prompted us to think of ourselves, or our career, as a product. By treating our career as a product, we can start to put ourselves through a simple, iterative product development life cycle.

First, do market research.

Chad spoke of the advantages and disadvantages of getting allied with new, dying, and current commodity technologies. Figure out where the need is. Decide where you want to make a difference. Possibly balance commodity tech competence with something exotic. This brings to mind Jim Weirich. Whenever I hear Jim Weirich speak he states that he is a Java programmer by day and a ruby programmer by night. Jim may be a great Java programmer, but I would never know because I am too busy keeping up with all of his contributions to the ruby community.

Second, develop your product.

You have to take responsibility for your own learning. Chad said one thing that turned him off to prospective candidates during interviews was when someone would state that they have not been given the opportunity to work with a particular technology. Don’t wait for someone to give you an opportunity. Set aside time and actively learn the about market you choose to call home. Become an expert in one thing and knowledgeable in several other areas. Learn the tools of the trade and start to contribute back to those tools.

Third, market yourself.

Chad spoke about the moral obligation to share your success when you do something really great. If you are an expert on something and you are doing great work then you should share that work with the world for the world’s betterment. You can’t take pride in a naive nerd ethic of respecting undiscovered genius. You have to be a communicator that is willing to talk about your ideas and your successes for people to notice you.

I really enjoyed hearing Chad’s talk. I walked away from the XP West Michigan meeting feeling really energized. I know that Chad doesn’t present himself as a motivational speaker, but I felt really fueled up and inspired after hearing him speak. Chad is a true craftsman and I appreciate his ability to transfer some of the passion and enthusiasm he carries for his craft.

I have always found the marketing step the hardest to approach in the career/product development life cycle. I get turned off by people who hit steps 1 and 3 hard and leave a lot left to be desired with step 2 as far as direct, concrete experience is concerned. I have focused on steps 1 and 2 and used my disfavor of how other people approach 3 as an excuse to not participate in the marketing step. I am just as eligible for improvement.

Chad is the real deal. Chad is bona fide. Chad leads by example on how to do all three steps well. When it comes to doing, he can. He also is sharing his successes with the rest of us and inspiring us to do the same. I can now see the value in embracing the whole life cycle. I know that I have to focus on my own approach to the marketing step and not be concerned or discouraged with what the other guys are saying.

Thanks Chad.

Additionally, you may have noticed Chad’s hair getting longer. Please check out the charity for long term medical hair loss that he is supporting: http://www.locksoflove.org