Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

How to Successfully Complete A Major Reorganization

This article outlines the steps taken by a leader during a major reorganization of an organization. The leader focused on communicating the changes respectfully, shifting the focus to positive changes, creating vision statements and roadmaps for each team, and meeting with those affected by the changes. The article also highlights the importance of having someone to bounce ideas off of and dedicating time for the personal connection aspect of a reorganization.

How to Retain Women Engineers

Companies have made efforts to increase the diversity of their tech workforce by improving recruitment of women, but not as much has been done to retain them. To address this, a company revised their career ladder to include recognition for mentoring, and initiated a Women's Club and other activities to support women engineers. Lessons learned include not making efforts a women-only initiative, recognizing women's hard work, being inclusive, and creating an environment that supports work-life balance.

How to Feel Heard During Video Meetings

This article discusses the challenges of imposter syndrome and speaking up during remote Zoom meetings, which is especially difficult for PMs. It outlines the steps taken to address the issue, such as talking to people within the organization, understanding proper Zoom etiquette, and advocating for oneself and others. It also emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor, using online and offline resources, and not questioning oneself.

The Benefits of Returnship

This article discusses how to create a successful returnship program for people returning to the workforce after a career break. It outlines the steps to take, such as creating a time-bound internship program with experienced mentors, and targeting boot camps and non-traditional programs to receive applications from diverse candidates. The article also explains how returnship programs are beneficial for both individuals and companies, as they lead to less churn, strong commitment, and deep loyalty.

Best Practices for Managing Diverse Talent in Engineering Teams

In today's engineering landscape, managing diverse talent in teams is crucial for achieving common goals. Embracing diversity brings a wealth of perspectives and skills to the table, fostering a culture of inclusion. Effective communication ensures everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, while building trust creates a supportive environment for sharing ideas. Leveraging individual strengths maximizes team performance, and encouraging collaboration fosters unity and shared purpose. By implementing these best practices, an inclusive and high-performing engineering team can be created.

Ethics and Equality in Software Engineering

Before the pandemic, the author was scheduled to deliver a talk about ethics in software engineering. Research revealed that historically marginalized groups faced discrimination in the software industry. To create change, the author recommends unconscious bias and microaggression training, psychological safety for team members to bring up concerns, and listening with respect and empathy. Data is also important to make others aware of the inequalities in software development.