collaboration

Agile team made of different people all bumping fists How Embracing Differences Makes More Robust Agile Teams

On any team, there are bound to be some differences. But even though work styles may differ from what you expect, they may not be problematic simply because they are different. Before making assumptions about what a teammate is doing or why, just ask to find out. Their differences may bring a helpful new perspective.

Steve Berczuk's picture
Steve Berczuk
A quality guild made up of software testers in the community Creating a Community of Testers

Many teams are divided by product or feature, with only one dedicated tester per team. How do you learn and grow in your career when you’re disconnected from your peers? One solution is to create your own community of testers that spans the organization. Here are some ideas to start and facilitate a Quality Guild.

Philip Daye's picture
Philip Daye
Product manager and development lead shaking hands Making the Product and Development Partnership Thrive

The product manager and the development lead partnering well together is a cornerstone of great product teams. The behavior they exhibit sets the standard for how the team cooperates, connects, and thrives. One great way to do this is getting closer to your customer. Here’s how this advice works with both protagonists.

Vidya Dinamani's picture
Vidya Dinamani
Two software teammates slapping high five 3 Ways to Have Fun at Work and Improve Productivity

Enjoying your job isn’t just a nice perk. Happiness enhances motivation, leads to higher job satisfaction, and increases productivity. Companies can provide opportunities for employees to engage in meaningful ways, but it’s up to the people to create and innovate. Here are three ways to inject fun into your workday.

Owen Gotimer's picture
Owen Gotimer
Agile team having a productive meeting Getting the Most out of Your Agile Meetings

One of the most common complaints of any software team during a retrospective is the issue of too many meetings. Agile ceremonies can provide a lot of value to the team, but only when they're done correctly. Here are four ways to get the most out of meetings, avoid wasting time, and gain value for everyone involved.

Alan Crouch's picture
Alan Crouch
Businessperson talking into a tin can How to Achieve Better Internal Communication

Our methods of communicating are often on “autopilot.” Being more mindful of when and how we communicate can eliminate problems and strengthen internal relationships. There are several things that can be improved or implemented to increase trust and effective communication on any business team. Here are some ideas.

Ann Amen's picture
Ann Amen
Business people communicating using soft skills Why We Need to Stop Calling Them Soft Skills

People often focus on hard skills for career development, but soft skills are just as important—if not more. Soft skills require practice and they are crucial for professional success, so we should stop referring to interpersonal skills as soft. They’re hard, human skills, and they can set you apart in your job.

Owen Gotimer's picture
Owen Gotimer
A project team bumping fists 6 Ways to Build Strong Relationships on Your Project Team

When you form a new team to tackle a major project, the project's success hinges not just on the technical savvy of the team members, but also—and especially—on how well the team members get along. How everyone communicates and collaborates can make or break your project. Here's how to build strong team relationships.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten