Checklists are great for keeping track of multiple tasks, no matter how big or small. Bigger tasks may have several smaller bullet points underneath to healp break it up into more managable chunks, while smaller tasks are worth including to make sure they aren't missed. It can also help maintain a more tangible sense of accomplishment. It can be very satisfying to see a major task slowly but visibly reduced as work continues on the project. Personally, my experiences in climbing and mountaineering has shown me the power of tick-lists; a collections of summit objectives. It is very easy to stay focused on a larger goal when there are many smaller bite-sized goals to aim for.
Beside the obvious technical goal of learning how to code, I hope to get more comfortable working collaboratively in larger groups. I'm very comfortable working alone or in smaller groups, but larger groups seem to be more outside my comfort zone. I get very frustrated dealing with competing perspectives which may not align with mine. While I do genuinely value a different perspective, I may not agree with how certain goals or tasks are prioritized.
My greatest strength is being able to maintain composure under pressure. In my mountaineering experiences, I have come across countless situations where perfect execution is of paramount importance. Making the right call to call it quits on the side of an avalanche prone mountain, making the perfect ski turn on a 60 degree slope, moving flawlessly to grab the next hold thousands of feet above the ground on a rock wall; continuing to move efficently while blind in a blizzard; these are a few situations that come to mind.
I work best when given a concrete goal with the appropriate resources. I prefer to work alone or in a small group. I do enjoy working under pressure under most circumstances, but I like to work in small chunks over a longer period of time. Thus, incremental progress is crucial. I need to avoid total procrastination and cramming.
I could certainly improve a lot in being more sensitive to the needs and concerns of others. If communicated well, I feel I can respond appropriately, but being able to read other's emotions implcitly seems to be difficult for me. I don't always need to be told directly, but many times I'm left confused by how other act and what inner motivations cause those actions.
I hope to maximize my strengths by finding a task or project that inspires and motivates me. When I have my mind set on a goal, I have exceptional focus to dedicate towards that goal.
It can help mostly by knowing what to expect and to try to strive towards those working preferences. I can also aim to contribute more towards problems I would be better suited to.
Empathy plays a major role in being more personable. I grew up in a very sheltered and rigid envronment where there wasn't much room for empathy. In my younger adult years, I slowly learned how mirroring then evironment I grew up in makes it hard to collaborate and connect with others. As I slowly worked on being more empathetic with others, I grew to realize the potential in being able to empathize with others not only when it's easy, but when it's difficult as well.
Empathy helps build better software by allowing you to see the problem from the user's perspective. Software, like any tool we have at our disposal is meant to make our lives easier. Software that doesn't meet the user's needs is useless. By approaching the problem with the same passion the user would devote to it, we can help solve problems those users may not otherwise be eqipped to tackle.
It allows one to see from different perspectives, and is integral in the collaborative process. It can also help in persuading a team member to see from your own perspective as well. Being able to relate how and why you feel in a way that resonates is important in teamwork.
There was once a situation where I had two coworkers who did not get along very well. It got to the point where every interaction between them was uncomfortable. I was able to talk it out with the both of them privately to better understand where they were coming from. From there, I was able to mediate the relationship as needed and they eventually became good friends.
When do you find it most difficult to be empathetic in professional settings? How can you improve your skills when faced with these scenarios?
I find it difficult to be empathetic when teammates aren't meeting expectations. I have been working on this by managing expectations I have of others. I've been doing better at gauging others' strengths and weaknesses; thereby steering such expectations to cater to these strengths while at the same time positively challenging weaknesses to be improved upon.