When it comes to software these days coding is becoming more and more the easy part. Just think of all the options you have when it comes to languages, tools, and sites to visit for learning or questions. In this talk we'll take a deep dive into exploring the human characteristics behind software development and learn how we can better support them, both from within ourselves and our organizations for improved future success.

1. @daniel_davis
code is easy.
humans are hard.

2. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
• Brief Intro
• Focus For The Session
• What Makes Code Easy
• What Makes People Difficult
• Human Characteristics Behind Good Software
• Some Additional Principles
• Sum It Up
Agenda

3. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
• Founder/Lead Consultant at Elev8
• Business Improvement Consultant
• Developer & Technical Coach
• Innovator, Life Hacker, Maker
• Pro Snowboard Instructor
• Parent of 4
Brief Intro

4. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
• Discussion over Presentation
• Principles over Prescription
Focus For The Session

5. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
• Languages
• Frameworks
• Tools
• Internet
What Makes Code Easy

6. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
• Instinctively Bias
• Overly Judgmental
• Naturally Competitive
• Hold Grudges
What Makes Humans Hard

7. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Let’s talk through some of the better
characteristics that we can be mindful of
to support building better software.
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software

8. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software
Trustworthy -
- Keep commitments
- Confide in others
- Honest to everyone, including oneself
- Open transparency
“The moment there is suspicion about a person’s motives,
everything they do becomes tainted.”
– Gandhi

9. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software
Intuitive -
- Open mindedness
- Ability to draw connections
- Quick decision making
- Naturally observant
“That uneasy feeling is your intuition telling you no. Listen.”
– Unknown

10. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software
Life Long Learner -
- Testing new ideas
- Pushing boundaries
- Courage to take risks
- Willingness to fail
“It’s impossible to be good at anything,
if you are not willing to fail at it.”
– Mark Manson,
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck

11. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software
Team Player -
- Collaborative
- Put team before self
- Value all contributions
- Hold themselves and others accountable
“Don’t aspire to be the best member on the team.
Aspire to be the best member for the team.”
– Unknown

12. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software
Disciplined -
- Remove distractions
- Know their own limits
- Stay focused
- Follow through
“Discipline is rarely enjoyable, but almost always profitable.”
– Darrin Patrick

13. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software
Passionate -
- Like what they do
- Aren’t easily discouraged
- Work hard for the goal
- Desire to continuously improve
“Finding your passion isn’t just about work and money.
It’s about finding your authentic self.
The one you’ve buried beneath other peoples needs”
– Unknown

14. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
“If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability
to get the other person’s point of view and see things
from that person’s angle, as well as from your own.”
– Henry Ford
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software
Empathetic -
- Natural curiosity
- Put others needs first
- Highly tuned senses
- Good listener

15. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
– Albert Einstein
Inquisitive -
- Naturally curious
- Always questioning
- Investigate for themselves
- Continuously ask why
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software

16. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
“Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness,
but a sign of strength.”
– Dalai Lama
Compassionate -
- Others needs above their own
- Forgive easily
- Mindful of others feelings
- Care deeply
Human Characteristics Behind Good Software

17. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Human Characteristics Summarized
• Trustworthy
• Intuitive
• Life Long Learner
• Team Player
• Disciplined
• Passionate
• Empathetic
• Inquisitive
• Compassionate

18. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
• Not perfect, but always trying to be.
• Meet the majority of the commitments.
• Able to react to change in a quick proficient manner.
• Not 100% on time on budget, but stable and predictable.
• Maintain the balance between chaos & rigid discipline.
Some Additional Principles/Perspectives

19. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Sum It Up
code is easy. humans are hard.

20. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Q & A

21. code is easy. humans are hard.
@daniel_davis
Thank you!
Daniel Davis
dan@elev8.services
@daniel_davis
linkedin.com/in/davisdaniel