Holding Software Engineers Accountable

🎙️ Navigating Developer Accountability: A Deep Dive with CTO Coach Stephen Schmidt

In this enlightening episode of Product Driven, Matt Watson and CTO Coach Stephen Schmidt explore the intricate challenges of holding software developers accountable while fostering genuine ownership. Stephen, author of "Amazing CTO," shares profound insights on balancing oversight with autonomy, introducing his innovative motivation formula: Joy + Discipline - Frustration = Developer Motivation.

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Key Discussion Points:

🎯 The delicate balance of granting and maintaining developer ownership

🔄 Why micromanagement destroys the "ownership bubble"

📊 Understanding the right timing for developer intervention

🌱 Building trust as the foundation of accountability

💪 The critical role of courage in developer growth

⏰ Managing timeline expectations and the reality of project estimations

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction and guest overview

1:17 - Developer ownership and management challenges

3:34 - Communication and ownership expectations

5:23 - Finding the right balance in developer support

7:17 - The motivation formula breakdown

11:31 - Courage in development teams

14:47 - Timeline management and accountability

20:32 - Holding developers to commitments

23:43 - The concept of "done done"

27:11 - Mode A vs Mode B management

28:01 - Closing thoughts and contact information

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