The hottest Team Dynamics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Why sprints are taking the joy out of building software

Leading Developers • 147 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile Methodology Product Management Team Dynamics Engineering Practices
  1. Sprints can make software development feel rushed and stressful. Teams often end up prioritizing completing tasks over enjoying the process of creating.
  2. Agile isn't just about following the sprint process; it's more about flexibility and responding to change. Focusing too much on the sprint leads to sticking to the rules instead of adapting to needs.
  3. Instead of traditional sprints, teams might benefit from cycles where they take their time, release when ready, and allow some room for creativity and quality work. This can create a more enjoyable work environment.

How TPMs Lose Credibility and What to Avoid

Building Rome(s) • 20 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
💼 Business Management Leadership Project management Team Dynamics Communication
  1. Credibility is crucial for TPMs because it's how they build trust with their teams and leaders. Consistently following through on promises and communicating effectively helps maintain that trust.
  2. Small mistakes can lead to big problems. Overlooking details, not following processes, and poorly communicating can damage a TPM's credibility quickly.
  3. Being proactive rather than reactive is important. TPMs should anticipate potential issues to show they're engaged and capable, which strengthens their credibility.
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Warriors Twitter Negative?

House of Strauss • 24 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Basketball Fan culture Media Team Dynamics Social media
  1. Some Warriors fans are being really critical on Twitter, even about big names like Steph Curry and coach Steve Kerr. This negativity seems to come from a mix of frustration as the team's success winds down.
  2. Fans often look back and criticize team decisions without understanding the context at the time. Many decisions had logical reasons behind them, and hindsight can be misleading.
  3. There's a sense that fans should trust the journalists who cover the team. These reporters have more access and knowledge about what’s really happening with the Warriors, so their insights can be valuable.

The Clippers smash through their closing championship window

Good Morning It's Basketball • 550 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball NBA Championship Team Dynamics Free Agency
  1. The Clippers are extending contracts with their core players Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and potentially James Harden
  2. The team must compete for a title now due to aging core players and challenges from other teams in the West
  3. The Clippers need to make a championship push before younger teams in the Western Conference become dominant

Safe vs ALL-IN Engineering Management

Leading Developers • 70 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
💼 Business Management Leadership Team Dynamics Work Culture Career development
  1. There are two main styles of engineering management: Safe and All-In. Safe managers stick to the rules and like a structured work environment while All-In managers push for change and challenge the status quo.
  2. All-In managers are seen as demanding and sometimes annoying by others, as they constantly seek improvement and advocate for their team's needs. They care deeply about their team's success and fight for resources.
  3. The big clash happens because Safe managers prefer a calm, methodical way of working, while All-In managers bring energy and chaos. Both styles can struggle to cooperate effectively.

What I wish somebody told me during my first year as a manager

Leading Developers • 59 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
💼 Business Management Leadership Career development Team Dynamics Productivity
  1. Don’t try to control everything in your team. It’s important to let your team members take on responsibilities and grow.
  2. Stop complaining about others without taking action. It’s more effective to give direct feedback to those who need it instead of gossiping.
  3. Remember to take a step back and appreciate the progress you and your team are making. Self-reflection can help you see how far you've come.

Cross-Discipline Approaches

Fish Food for Thought • 9 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Innovation Problem Solving Team Dynamics Adaptability
  1. Cross-disciplinary approaches help solve complex problems by combining insights from different fields. This way, we can see things from new angles and come up with better solutions.
  2. Drawing inspiration from areas outside our main expertise can lead to innovative ideas. For example, a surgeon used aviation checklists to improve safety in surgeries.
  3. Diverse teams are more adaptable and can tackle challenges more effectively. Different perspectives lead to more creativity and better outcomes in problem-solving.

Definition of Dumb

Rethinking Software • 249 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile Methodology Project management Quality Assurance Team Dynamics
  1. The Definition of Done in Scrum can often mask real problems instead of solving them. It makes it seem like poor quality doesn't exist by placing all responsibility on the developers.
  2. Many companies stick to strict processes without recognizing their flaws. This leads to frustration among developers who are pushed to meet unrealistic expectations.
  3. Empowering developers to create their own processes might lead to better results. By trusting the team, companies can produce high-quality work without getting bogged down by rigid frameworks.

The Stretch 4: Why trying to win at Florida will be 'a monumental task' for Auburn

The Auburn Observer • 334 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Team Dynamics
  1. Auburn faces a tough challenge trying to win at Florida after not winning there in 28 years.
  2. While Auburn might be favored in the upcoming game, history and the strength of the Florida team make it a significant challenge.
  3. Rest factors and historical performances on the road could impact Auburn's ability to secure a victory over Florida.

Film Room: How Auburn's defense has been so dominant so far in SEC play

The Auburn Observer • 373 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Defense Statistics Efficiency Team Dynamics
  1. Auburn's defense in SEC play has been dominant, holding most opponents to 65 points or fewer.
  2. Bruce Pearl expressed early concerns about their defense, but now they are performing exceptionally well.
  3. Auburn's defense leads the SEC in efficiency, field goal percentages, and turnover rate, showcasing a strong team commitment to defensive play.

Observations: Auburn 93, LSU 78

The Auburn Observer • 393 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Basketball Analysis Team Dynamics Defense
  1. Auburn basketball is winning consistently and by double digits in a season with many upsets among ranked teams.
  2. Auburn's defense creating havoc is a key factor in their recent success, with steals leading to significant points off turnovers.
  3. Coach Bruce Pearl remains modest about the team's success, recognizing areas for improvement despite strong performances.

Design Leaders Should Go “Founder Mode”

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 69 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🪑 Design UX Design Leadership Product Development Team Dynamics
  1. Design leaders should adopt a hands-on, founder-like approach rather than climbing traditional corporate ladders. This allows for more effective and quick decision-making.
  2. AI can greatly boost productivity in design teams, allowing smaller teams to achieve results that used to require larger departments. This leads to flatter organizational structures.
  3. Being a leader in design today means having a clear vision for the team's success and making sure that vision fits well with the rest of the organization.

What makes a software engineer effective?

Elevate • 477 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Team Dynamics Communication Personal Development Problem Solving
  1. Effectiveness in software engineering is about focusing on what matters most and delivering value to users, the business, and career with the available time.
  2. Traits that help software engineers be effective include caring about user needs, being a good problem solver, and keeping things simple while prioritizing quality.
  3. To excel as an exceptional software engineer, embrace change, balance technical debt and innovation, and emphasize continuous learning and teamwork.

Kyrie The Maverick

Marc Stein • 589 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Basketball Team Dynamics Player Performance
  1. Kyrie Irving is making a positive impact on the Dallas Mavericks team since joining.
  2. Kyrie Irving's leadership and support for his teammates are being recognized and appreciated.
  3. Despite initial skepticism, Kyrie Irving is gaining admirers in the locker room and throughout the organization.

Aubserver Mailbag 153: Change is in the Air

The Auburn Observer • 334 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎾 Sports Football Basketball Coaching Recruiting Team Dynamics
  1. Change is constant in the world of sports, with teams adapting from game to game to handle opponents.
  2. Auburn's football staff changes include parting ways with a DC after struggles, with some surprising player departures.
  3. Hugh Freeze plans to focus on offensive play-calling, while Auburn basketball continues to succeed through adaptability.

Why Code Authors Should Have the Final Say on Code Reviews

Rethinking Software • 249 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Code Review Agile methodologies Team Dynamics
  1. Code authors should have the final say in reviews to respect their expertise and autonomy. This helps them feel like true professionals.
  2. Mistakes in code are common and can be fixed quickly, so allowing authors to make decisions helps them learn and improve.
  3. Not all code needs to be perfect from the start, especially in the early stages of projects. Giving authors the control lets them decide how polished their work should be.

Flex your color

Wednesday Wisdom • 66 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
💼 Business Leadership Management Personal Development Team Dynamics Psychology
  1. Understanding different personality types can help improve teamwork. People have different working styles, and recognizing these can enhance collaboration.
  2. The True Colors personality model categorizes people into four colors based on their traits. Each color represents different strengths and weaknesses, which can help individuals understand themselves and others better.
  3. Being aware of your default behavior allows you to adapt to different situations. Flexing your personality traits based on the needs of the moment can lead to better leadership and decision-making.

TBM 278: The Power of Firsthand Experience

The Beautiful Mess • 793 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💼 Business Product Management Team Dynamics Customer Insights Product Development Decision-making
  1. Having firsthand experience is crucial in understanding product concepts, like observing failed launches or successful market fit.
  2. Seeing a team hit dead ends before succeeding can encourage more leeway for experimentation and resilience.
  3. Direct access to customers, effective team dynamics, and confronting false assumptions can greatly impact decision-making and product success.