People and Teams

People and Teams

People and Teams Stories
Box with "Now" checked Stop Procrastinating and Start Getting Things DoneEveryone procrastinates sometimes. But if it's becoming a real problem for you, there are things you can do to try to overcome chronic procrastination. For instance, try dividing your work into small, manageable steps, setting time limits for tasks, and eliminating distractions. Read on for more tips.
CIA dog Lessons from the CIA’s K9 Training Program

Do you want to improve your internal training programs or perhaps update your skills via e-learning? You can pick up some valuable clues from the CIA’s K9 explosive detection training program. Pamela Rentz highlights some of the CIA’s top training tips that work for humans as well as canines.

Manager appreciating an employee Acknowledging Employees’ Efforts: So Easy, So ImportantAcknowledgement is one of the most important things a manager can do. Research suggests that most people are more motivated by being told what they’re doing right than what they’re doing wrong. Recognition of small, everyday efforts and routine accomplishments make a difference in how employees feel about their work.
Test automation gear On Your Software Team, Who Should Own Automation?There is a prevalent question in the software world these days: Who should be working on automation—developers or testers? Justin Rohrman says it can be everyone's responsibility. It’s more important to look at the structure of your technical team, what skill sets are available, and what the skill distribution is.
Two people communicating effectively The Subtle Art of Diplomatic Communication with Project SponsorsIt’s an art to balance project sponsors’ need for timely and accurate information with being diplomatic in how and when that information is delivered. Diplomacy is about tact—communicating in tough situations without antagonizing anyone more than necessary. Here are eight keys to diplomatic, effective communication.
Pack of lions How You Can Help the Human Animals in Your Group ThriveOn our teams, we deal with many individuals with diverse perspectives. It's not always easy, but we are animals, and many animals live and work—and are only able to survive—in teams. You can look to how animals interact with and react to each other to see how we, as human animals, can not just survive, but thrive.
Microphone To Sound Intelligent and Articulate, Enunciate as You SpeakIf people have to guess what you’re saying, they may discount even your best ideas. If you can’t tell whether you’re pronouncing and enunciating your words well, record your presentation practice sessions or read a few paragraphs from a book to monitor the clarity of your speech. Your listeners will thank you.
Two rocks balancing Balance Technical and Social Skills for Project Success

Software testing is a socio-technical undertaking, which means that effective test strategies must incorporate a balance of technical capabilities relating to processes and tools and social capabilities used for communication and problem-solving. This balance enables true project success.