People and Teams
People and Teams
People and Teams Stories
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Don’t Assume Bad Intentions When There May Be Another ExplanationThere's a saying: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” The possibility of a reasonable explanation for someone’s bad behavior doesn’t mean you have to accept that behavior, but it does suggest that it’s sometimes better to consider the possibility that something else is going on. | 
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The Software World Is Changing—Are You Willing to Change with It?The software landscape is changing. Processes are becoming quicker and leaner, but instead of re-evaluating some of our traditional practices, we sometimes try to make them fit where they don't belong. This holds back continuous improvement. If you want change, you first need to be willing to change. | 
Lee Copeland |
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10 Strategies to Get the Most out of Attending a ConferenceAny time you get the opportunity to attend a conference, think of it as a chance to learn and bring some new ideas back to your team and company. It’s important to be intentional as you prepare and to know what you want to achieve. Here are ten strategies—and a worksheet—to help you get the most out of the experience. | 
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Tips for Staying Calm under PressureIf you've got a high-pressure situation coming up such as a job interview, a presentation, or an important meeting with your boss, it's normal to feel some stress. Preparation can help alleviate a lot of it, so be sure to get enough sleep, ask for help, and rehearse what you're going to say. Read on for more tips. |
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Who’s the Boss? Let Agile Teams Manage ThemselvesThis idea of a team in charge of itself is difficult for many people to accept. Traditional practices condition us to wait for someone to tell us what to do, and managers are accustomed to controlling everyone’s work and knowing everyone’s status. But agile teams can manage themselves—in fact, it's essential to agile. | 
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Thanks to Agile, You Can No Longer Be a Selfish Tester You achieve much greater things if you trust your testing team and focus on the entire software lifecycle rather than your own personal goals. Over the years, agile has made it difficult to be both selfish and successful as a tester. |
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The Difference between Managers and LeadersYou often hear managers referred to as leaders, but the two terms are not synonymous. Managers can be leaders, but not always, and there are people who don’t have formal management positions who are leaders. Understanding the difference can help people in both roles—and their team members—be more effective. | 
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How to Say No to Work RequestsThere are times when you have so much to do that you just have to say no to new work requests. The trick is finding a way to decline politely so there are no negative repercussions. There are ways to turn down requests at work without also hurting your career. Be clear and firm but still respectful. |
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