How did your early experience with programming influence your career path and approach to technology?
My early experience was filled with experimentation. I had no role models because there weren’t any. It felt like being a pioneer.
Now, I use that experience to structure my workday with tools that enable me to focus on creating something new from scratch, rather than reinventing the wheel.
Can you share a memorable project or challenge from your career that showcased the power of imagination in programming?
I worked on a student internship project that was originally intended to be discarded, just a tool I was developing for learning purposes.
Upon receiving the assignment, I immediately imagined who could potentially use the application and make it as user-friendly as possible.
It was tested and so well-received that this small app I created in just four weeks ended up reshaping the department that adopted it into their system.
How do you think the evolving understanding of programming and diversity has shaped the tech industry today?
I think the push to increase diversity has been very encouraging. I’m happy to see much more diversity at Redgate compared to just two years ago.
I also appreciate having managers who take the time to understand the challenges their teams face.
In your opinion, what are some effective ways to foster diversity of thought and experience within a team?
One way to spark conversation is to have developers watch customers interact with the product.
Another way is to hold meetings where both sides of an argument are debated.
The power of stepping away from a subject for a while, changing your context, and then returning to it is also a very effective way to gain fresh insights.
Having team members spend time on different teams, rewarding diversity, hiring from diverse talent pools, and rotating leadership on small projects can also be beneficial.
Have you encountered any specific instances where diverse perspectives significantly enhanced a project or problem-solving process?
Often, the worst customer experiences come from software engineers developing for themselves. This also applies to B2B integrations.
I once had difficulty getting my team to work with a team from another company. We decided to visit their office and spend time socializing.
This approach worked very well.
What advice would you give to someone entering the tech industry today, especially regarding the importance of embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences?
If you want to make an impact and remain in a good place (whether it’s the team, project, or skill set), always view what you’ve just finished as the past. Ask yourself what the future holds and how what you’re doing now could be improved if you had a magic wand.
Learn from those around you, and don’t prevent others from shining—when someone else shines, it reflects on everyone.
Being a small part of something great is far better than being the sole owner of a bad situation.
