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Raise Issues Constructively and Be Prepared to Tackle Tough Problems with Michel Weststrate
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Michel Weststrate
Michel Weststrate. He is a trainer, speaker, micro-consultant and independent open source developer. As well as the author of MobX, MobX-State-Tree, Immer and a plethora of smaller packages. Michel is on a quest to make programming as natural as possible.
In this episode, Phil and Michel Weststrate discuss how to raise issues in a constructive way that greatly improves the chances of them being solved. They talk about why it makes sense to share code via OpenSource. Michel explains how he pushes himself to tackle difficult problems without running the risk of burn out. He also touches on why he thinks React Suspense is going to have a huge impact and how tech is likely to evolve over the next few years.
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Resources
Michel Codes – Check out Michel’s website!
2 Top Career Tips
1) Try to raise solutions rather than problems. It is far better to explain that there is an issue and at the same time share your preferred solution. Simply sharing the problem with your manager, who does not have the hands on experience you have usually leads to a very poor outcome. In the podcast, Michel provides an in-depth example, that explains what he means. It is a practical example that many I.T. professionals will be able to easily relate to.
2) Go the extra mile to solve your problems. You may think they only affect you and a few others. But, often, when you provide a solution you will end up helping many others as well as yourself.
Show Notes
Worst Career Moment
During his career, Michel has found himself regularly making the same mistake. He can overthink things a little and spend too much time working on issues that may never occur. But, he has also dismissed potential problems, only for them to turn into an issue, years down the line. In the podcast, he explains how he has changed the way he works in an effort to get the balance right.
Career Highlight
Michel’s career highlight was working on MobX to solve what initially appeared to be a relatively specialist problem, which actually ended up helping thousands of developers.
The Future
Being a software engineer has never been easier than it is now. And it is likely to be more so, in the future. The number of technologies is also growing and will almost certainly continue to do so. Many of these will lead to ground-breaking changes. In the podcast, he provides several examples of technologies that are set to drastically shake things up.
The Reveal
What first attracted you to a career in I.T.?
The fact that as an I.T. engineer you are free to create truly remarkable things. There are very few limitations that you have to work within.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Have confidence in your ability to learn. Michel also explains his take on negotiating a deal that will work for everyone.
What is the worst career advice you’ve ever received?
You can be whatever you want to be. If you push yourself too far beyond what is feasible, you will burn out.
If you had to begin your career again in today’s world, what would you do?
Michel would get involved in Open Source, at an early stage.
What career objectives are you currently focusing on?
Facebook works at an incredible scale; they have thousands of developers. Michel wants to learn as much as he can about how such a huge team gels.
What’s the number one non-technical skill that has helped you in your career so far?
Being able to communicate ideas, especially very abstract or technical concepts.
What do you do to keep your own career energized?
Michel likes to tackle difficult problems, especially the ones he can work on at his own pace. They give him the chance to really dig deep and learn.
What do you do in your spare time away from technology?
Michel recently moved to London, so he and his family are getting to know the city. He loves soccer and is also active in his church.
Contact The Guest
Contact Michel Weststrate through the following social media platforms:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mweststrate
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michel-weststrate-3558463/
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