Programmers have to learn an incredible amount of information to even BEGIN to be effective at their job. So it's only natural that we don't like to find out something we learned - is wrong in a different context. With so much invested, being open to the possibility that there's a better way to do things can be hard.

In this episode, I share some mindset limitations that we can fall into in tech job roles. We can feel so strongly about experiences we've had, that they blind us from being open to other equally valid perspectives. Every one of these is a mistake I've made more than once in my career.

I hope by being aware of these, you don't end up believing lies. Instead, this information can help you make wiser decisions on your software project - so you don't end up looking like a fool.

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TechRolepedia, a wiki about the top 25 roles in tech:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/techroles

The Thriving Technologist career guide:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/guide

Learn about one-on-one coaching with Jayme:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/coaching

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Chapter markers / timelinks:

(1:43) 5 Mindset Limitations Programmers Believe
(1:53) 1. Binary Thinking
(5:16) 2. Anecdotal Overconfidence
(12:12) 3. Absolutist Stances
(16:05) 4. Recency Bias
(19:03) 5. Vanity Metrics

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Find me on X as @jaymeedwards

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Ever seen management bring in a technology consultant, and suddenly they're open to ideas you've been telling them all along? When this first happened to me, I figured technology consultants were probably just better at selling snake oil.

But halfway into my career I became a software development technology consultant, and I learned they were masters of one thing I sucked at - communication. Here's the good news: you don't have to become a technology consultant to be a master of communication. It's simply a decision you make to focus on it.

In this episode, I share 9 ways you can communicate like a consultant, that will get people to stop and listen to what you have to say with more authority and urgency on your software projects. Whether you're a software engineer, in QA or DevOps, or a product or product manager - we all respond to persuasive and informed communication the same way.

I hope this helps you get unstuck in your career in technology, and achieve things you never thought were possible on your software development project!

Join my Patreon:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/patreon

TechRolepedia, a wiki about the top 25 roles in tech:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/techroles

The Healthy Software Development career guide:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/guide

Learn about one-on-one coaching with Jayme:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/coaching

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Chapter markers / timelinks:

(3:10) 9 Ways to Communicate Like a Consultant
(3:17) 1. Be Business-Focused
(5:11) 2. Presentation Skills
(8:20) 3. Adapt To Your Audiences
(12:25) 4. Frequent Feedback Loops
(15:26) 5. Negotiation Skills
(18:02) 6. Healthy Resistance to Rushing
(20:34) 7. Project Documentation
(23:38) 8. Client Relationship Management
(26:34) 9. Continuous Learning
(30:20) Episode Groove

Visit me at thrivingtechnologist.com

Find me on X as @jaymeedwards

Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards

Most programmers have considered self-employment at one time or another, but fear grips them when they think about how to even get started. When I began working for myself 7 years ago, I had no idea how to transition to being self-employed, but I knew I couldn't stand working for corporations any longer.

In this episode, I'll share the most common fears any programmer faces when they think about what it might be like to work for themselves. And for each of these fears, I'll offer some perspective on how I did it, and you can too.

With the uncertainty of the software industry today (and really any tech job), relying on corporations for employment over our entire career may not be wise in the long run. I hope this episode offers some hope that self-employment isn't impossible as a programmer. But there is no escaping that you'll need to face your fears head on - and overcome them!

Join my Patreon:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/patreon

TechRolepedia, a wiki about the top 25 roles in tech:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/techroles

The Healthy Software Development career guide:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/guide

Learn about one-on-one coaching with Jayme:
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/coaching

You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

Chapter markers / timelinks:

(1:38) 1. 3 Reasons Programmers Fear Self-Employment
(1:44) 1.1 Financial Uncertainty
(2:46) 1.2 Lack of Business Skills
(3:54) 1.3 Comfort With Current Tech Job
(5:46) 2. How To Overcome Self-Employment Fears
(5:54) 2.1 Financial Planning and Savings
(9:02) 2.2 Gradual Skill Development
(11:53) 2.3 Start Small and Build Confidence

Visit me at thrivingtechnologist.com

Find me on X as @jaymeedwards

Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards