The1DrewHarris - Articles

Premise: Over the past decade, working in product software engineering leadership in corporations, I have noticed that most of the time, leadership is focused on the wrong things. The focus is often on performance vs. trust , downstream problems vs. upstream solutions , and protecting their own interests vs. extreme ownership .  Result:  A lot of product software engineering is broken. The source of the brokenness is not the technology or the processes. Sure, those elements can be evaluated and improved. Proper Testing, CI/CD, Security, Documentation, Run Books, Microservices, API, and AI strategies... Those are all essential elements of software engineering, tools of the trade. They can be analyzed, tuned, and optimized, and you're bound to get some improvements. But, I will argue that "fixing" those things will only get you mild enhancements if you are not addressing the root cause. Theory: The most valuable asset to any software company is its people. In most organiz

Well-crafted career ladders are the cornerstone of a thriving, high-performance organization.  Providing clear paths for employee growth and development ignites passion, fuels motivation, and unlocks the workforce's full potential. This article delves into the profound impact of well-designed career ladders, illustrating how they empower individuals, strengthen teams, and ultimately drive organizational success. We will explore how these strategic tools contribute to a more engaged, productive, and competitive workplace through concrete examples. The Value of Career Ladders Career ladders are more than hierarchical structures; they are strategic tools that can significantly impact an organization's performance and culture. Career ladders foster a sense of purpose, motivation, and engagement by providing clear paths for employee growth and development. This section will explore the multifaceted benefits of well-crafted career ladders and demonstrate how they contribute to indivi