The document discusses developing soft skills for developers. It emphasizes the importance of communication and understanding personality types and cultural differences within development teams. Specific topics covered include getting developers out of isolation, self-reflection on communication preferences, using personality tests to improve team dynamics, leveraging diversity of thought, and practical communication strategies.

1. Beyond The Code Cave.
Developing Developers Soft Skills
Nigel James Director – Square Cloud Pty Ltd
@SquareCloud

2. Who's who?

3. Where are we going?
● Getting out of the code cave
● Knowing me // Knowing you
● Personality
● Power of TEAM
● Practical Communication
● Questions and Discussion

5. Getting out of the Code Cave
● Communication is important
● Many Developers prioritise Coding over communication
● They don't see it as important

8. Knowing me // Knowing you
● Do you know how you think?
● Are you a Visual, Auditory or Kinaesthetic Thinker?
● What ways do you work best?
● What are you blind spots and weaknesses?
● Who or what presses your buttons and why?
● Can you answer these questions for those in your team?

10. Personality
● How are you wired?
● Consider a profiling test for your team
● Treat people as you would like to be treated
● In essence communicate to their strengths
● Lt Commander Data

12. Myers-Briggs
● Interaction with the world: Introverts v Extroverts
● Absorption of information: Sensors v Intuitive
● Decision Making: Thinkers v Feelers
● Organisation: Judger v Perceivers

16. Power of TEAM
● Software is not a solo activity
● Always someone to work with as a peer or a client relationship
● Not everyone will think the same way
● Use this to your advantage
● Develop relationships with those who think differently
● Get over us v them.

18. Cross Culture
● Every communication is cross cultural
● Watch out for jargon and insider acronyms
● The sender is responsible for the receipt of the message
● Some cultures just say 'Yes', so check they know what you are asking

20. Practical Communication
● Pitch you voice to ensure you can be heard
● Vary your tone
● Posture
● Confidence v Fear
● Practise at every opportunity
● You are always communicating

22. Questions and Discussion

24. Thanks for Listening
Nigel James – Director Square Cloud Pty Ltd
@SquareCloud
nigel.james@squarecloud.com.au

26. Picture Credits:
Bridge - https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottloftesness/12805095423
Cave - https://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewvenn/3026210580
Personality - https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/3332319267
Lt Cmd Data - http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/The_Ensigns_of_Command_(episode)
Team - https://www.flickr.com/photos/defenceimages/9653672799
Thinker - https://www.flickr.com/photos/seatbelt67/502255276
Flags - https://www.flickr.com/photos/borkurdotnet/691053039
Communication - https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcosand/5399855440
Dilbert - http://dilbert.com/2014-09-03/
Puzzle – http://squarecloud.com.au/
Personality graphic - http://www.businessinsider.com.au/best-jobs-for-every-personality-2014-9