People are less likely to express thanks or appreciation at work than anyplace else. But studies suggest that employees who feel appreciated are more productive and loyal, so it's worth making an effort. The intriguing bit? It's a win-win experience—when you appreciate someone, you feel good, too.

It's not the job of a leader to be likable. Still, for most leaders, there's little to be gained—and possibly much to lose—by being unlikable. But what makes someone likable isn't obvious. What traits and actions should a leader exhibit if he or she wants to be effective as well as likable?

As software engineering professionals, we each have a role in educating everyone in our circle of influence about just what software is and how critical it is to our everyday lives. Mike Sowers explains how you can answer the question "What is code?" without making your listeners sorry they asked!