The hottest Professional development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

How a Software Engineer went from SW2 to Principal in 4 Years [StoryTime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 13 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Professional development
  1. Sometimes, in software engineering, it's important to simplify the solution rather than making it overly complex.
  2. In problem-solving, considering economic aspects alongside technical solutions can lead to more efficient and sustainable outcomes.
  3. To excel in software development, it's crucial to broaden your knowledge and decision-making skills beyond just coding.

3 steps for a FAST promotion to management

Leading Developers • 43 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
💼 Business Professional development
  1. Be the go-to person for your manager by taking ownership of important tasks and being proactive in asking for responsibilities.
  2. Become visible outside your team by working on critical projects for the organization, actively participating in Slack channels, and producing helpful content.
  3. When seeking a promotion, be respectful but firm in asking for what you want, setting concrete goals, and taking proactive steps to achieve them.

The Long Game | LSW#47

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 30 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🚌 Education Professional development
  1. Thinking long-term is a challenge because we're not naturally wired for it. Compounding gains show significant results on a long timeline, requiring consistency and patience.
  2. Maintaining consistency of effort involves focusing on simple patterns, understanding the mundane, and adopting an input-focused mindset.
  3. Systems thinking helps uncover the underlying structures that drive actions, emphasizing the importance of proactive, future-oriented actions over reactive firefighting.

Corporate Power Plays

Logos • 39 implied HN points • 17 Mar 22
💼 Business Professional development
  1. In the corporate world, people often pretend to be collaborative, but it's really very competitive. You need to be aware of these power dynamics to navigate successfully.
  2. Using phrases like 'let's take a step back' can establish you as a thought leader in meetings, but be cautious not to overdo it. Everyone needs to contribute to keep things productive.
  3. Dressing differently, like wearing a suit in a casual workplace, can signal status and create a perception of power. Be strategic about how you present yourself to others.
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Run your 1:1 with your manager the best way

Askwhy: UX Research, Product Management, Design & Careers • 50 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
💼 Business Professional development
  1. Your 1:1 with your manager is crucial for building trust and working on your relationship.
  2. Set clear goals for your 1:1 meetings, including understanding priorities, receiving feedback, and discussing career development.
  3. Organize your agenda, prepare in advance, and follow up effectively to make the most out of your 1:1 meetings.

How to develop an online professional network [StoryTime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 19 implied HN points • 29 May 22
🕹 Technology Professional development
  1. Building an online network can connect you with diverse individuals and open up opportunities for growth and progression.
  2. When building your network, remember to be active and ask questions, while avoiding impatience and neediness to make a good impression.
  3. Finding like-minded individuals in groups, adding value to conversations, and interacting thoughtfully are key steps to effectively developing your online network.

Your Career Is Stuck Because You’re a Doer, Not an Owner

The Software Engineering Times • 4 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
💼 Business Professional development
  1. Stop just doing tasks; think like an owner who cares about the bigger picture. Focus on how your work impacts the company, not just on finishing assignments.
  2. To grow in your career, take initiative and ask questions. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do; look for problems and suggest solutions.
  3. People who want promotions are those who act like owners. They show leadership by thinking about outcomes and how to improve things, not just completing tasks.

Why I Stopped Writing In 2024 + I Am Back

Building Rome(s) • 7 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
💼 Business Professional development
  1. The author stopped writing in 2024 due to personal and professional changes but is returning in 2025 with fresh energy and focus.
  2. The newsletter has been rebranded to better reflect its content, now called 'The Art of Doing Technical Program Management', and will provide practical insights for TPMs.
  3. New subscription options and courses will be introduced, offering deeper content and personal coaching to help both new and experienced Technical Program Managers.

How to Apply to Graduate and Professional School

Journal of Free Black Thought • 7 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🚌 Education Professional development
  1. Start early when applying to graduate school. Research your options and prepare your application well ahead of the deadline.
  2. Your statement of purpose is very important. Clearly explain why you want to study your chosen field and what makes you a unique candidate.
  3. Getting strong letters of recommendation is crucial. Ask professors who know you well and give them enough time to write a thoughtful letter.

#11: Productive discomfort

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 14 Jan 20
🚌 Education Professional development
  1. Embracing discomfort can lead to personal growth. Learning new things often feels uncomfortable, but it can help expand your skills and knowledge.
  2. Regularly challenging yourself can make discomfort easier to handle. By gradually exposing yourself to tough situations, you can improve your ability to cope with stress and anxiety.
  3. Curiosity in the face of discomfort leads to valuable insights. Instead of avoiding unpleasant feelings, exploring what makes you uncomfortable can reveal opportunities for learning and innovation.

Leading with Empathy

The Future CEO • 1 HN point • 11 Apr 24
💼 Business Professional development
  1. Understanding how to ask for help and support others in the workplace is crucial to building a positive culture.
  2. There are diverse reasons individuals seek help, from coping with pressures to fostering a sense of belonging and support.
  3. True support extends beyond technical problem-solving; it involves active listening, empathy, and understanding unique perspectives to provide meaningful help.

Why building an authentic personal brand matters more than you think

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Professional development
  1. Your personal brand is what people know you for, and it's important for career growth and opportunities.
  2. Debunk common myths about personal branding like it being only for selling or less competent individuals.
  3. Having a solid personal brand can help you stand out at work, build trust with stakeholders, and expand your influence.

Feeling overwhelmed by information / TPMs are World Builders / The Right Amount of Slack

Building Rome(s) • 11 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Professional development
  1. Feeling overwhelmed by information is common for Technical Program Managers, so it's important to focus on what truly matters and develop a system for rapid recall.
  2. TPMs are not just program runners; they are world builders who can shape engineering organizations by influencing decision-making processes, strategy, and more.
  3. Adding the right amount of slack in project plans is crucial for TPMs to build flexibility and account for uncertainties, especially in testing phases.

I Hate My Job And I Want To Cry.

Trying to Understand the World • 5 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Professional development
  1. Indirect approaches can often be more effective than direct attacks in problem-solving.
  2. Designing and running organizations where people are happy is simple: prioritize simplicity, transparency, fairness, and teamwork.
  3. Having some degree of control over your job and work schedule can make work more bearable and fulfilling, even in difficult circumstances.

#14: A time and place for everything

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 20
💼 Business Professional development
  1. Conferences should have a balance of structured time for talks and unstructured time for networking. This way, attendees can connect with new and old friends.
  2. The real value of a conference comes from the informal conversations and connections made during breaks or between sessions. These moments often lead to the best ideas.
  3. Leaving room for spontaneity and unexpected meetings can make a conference more enjoyable and productive. It allows participants to discover shared interests in a relaxed setting.

GRANTED: Your stress probably isn't burnout and your professional decline probably isn't imminent

Granted • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jul 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Professional development
  1. Burnout is not the same as stress. Feeling overwhelmed can be healthy but burnout is persistent emotional exhaustion.
  2. Your professional peak relies more on acquired wisdom than innate intelligence. Investing in the next generation is valuable.
  3. Empathy in company culture is crucial. Developing empathy is a soft skill that can be learned through genuine care and effort.

Exciting Announcement: New Paid Subscription for The Art of Doing Technical Program Management Newsletter

Building Rome(s) • 1 implied HN point • 06 Feb 25
💼 Business Professional development
  1. There's a new paid subscription for a newsletter about Technical Program Management that costs $8 a month or $80 a year. This could help you grow in your career.
  2. Paid subscribers will get special content like focused guides, deep dives from experienced professionals, and tools to boost their skills.
  3. Even if you don't subscribe, free content will still be available, but you'll miss out on the deeper insights and exclusive resources that come with a paid subscription.

GRANTED: Bouncing back from failure and the problem with hiring ninjas

Granted • 19 implied HN points • 06 May 17
💼 Business Professional development
  1. Character is revealed by how you treat those with less power, not how many powerful people you impress
  2. Face-to-face requests are more successful than emails; asking 6 people in person can be as effective as emailing 200
  3. Resilience after failure often comes from understanding that failures are often due to the situation, not individual shortcomings

Chuye^.n gia^'u nghe^`

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jul 07
💼 Business Professional development
  1. Some individuals may choose to hoard knowledge, fearing competition or loss of job security, but sharing knowledge can lead to mutual growth and understanding.
  2. People with strong technical knowledge are often generous in sharing, potentially because their expertise is broad and well-established.
  3. Sharing knowledge not only enhances one's own understanding but also helps others learn and grow, creating a collaborative environment for progress.