Developing Devopsers: Strategies for Effective Mentoring

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj @maltzj Good mentorship can be operationalized

@maltzj Developing Devoposers: Strategies for Effective Mentoring Jonathan Maltz @maltzj
09-23-19 AUTHOR DATE

@maltzj @maltzj ✅ Onboarding

@maltzj @maltzj ✅ Onboarding ❌ Long-term mentorship

@maltzj @maltzj Operationalization

@maltzj @maltzj Operationalization - the process of strictly deﬁning variables
into measurable factors. The process deﬁnes fuzzy concepts and allows them to be measured, empirically and quantitatively.

@maltzj @maltzj Operationalization - success stops being random

@maltzj @maltzj 1. Create an opinionated process

@maltzj @maltzj 2. Build clear habits

@maltzj @maltzj 3. Spend time teaching skills

@maltzj Before arrival

@maltzj @maltzj Written down plan for the ﬁrst 90 days
of your mentee's time

@maltzj @maltzj Why?

@maltzj • Newhires are a blank slate Why?

@maltzj • Newhires are a blank slate • They're going
to learn something Why?

@maltzj • Newhires are a blank slate • They're going
to learn something • Teaching them clear lessons will prevent problems Why?

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj @maltzj 1. Write down a list of skills

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj @maltzj 2. Write down a month-by-month plan

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj • Month 1: Focus on excellence + comfort in
one area The basic plan

one area • Month 2: Broaden focus to include tangential areas to what they learned in month 1. The basic plan

one area • Month 2: Broaden focus to include tangential areas to what they learned in month 1. • Month 3: Round out set of skills for them to be productive The basic plan

@maltzj @maltzj 3. Create a script for the ﬁrst ~2
weeks

@maltzj @maltzj Breadth + Feedback

@maltzj • Any non-technical training/housekeeping • Small tasks which start
teaching them skills ◦ Should be completable within the day, 2 days at most. • Exercises to get them familiar with tools Script for the ﬁrst 2 weeks

@maltzj Mentee arrives!

@maltzj @maltzj Get them successful ASAP

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj @maltzj Have high standards

@maltzj @maltzj Make them feel successful

@maltzj @maltzj Check-in Frequently

@maltzj • Daily check-ins for the ﬁrst 2-3 weeks Check-in
Strategy

@maltzj • Daily check-ins for the ﬁrst 2-3 weeks •
45-minute 1:1s every week for 13 weeks Check-in Strategy

@maltzj • Daily check-ins for the ﬁrst 2-3 weeks •
45-minute 1:1s every week for 13 weeks • 1-2 hours after a new type of task Check-in Strategy

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj Handling questions

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj @maltzj 4 Steps

@maltzj @maltzj 1. Figure out path to the answer

@maltzj @maltzj 2. Take a ranging shot

@maltzj @maltzj "Tell me what you know about X"

@maltzj @maltzj 3. Decide on what they should learn

@maltzj @maltzj 4. Walk along the path to an answer

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj @maltzj Less familiar

@maltzj @maltzj More familiar Less familiar: Explicit teaching/habit forming

@maltzj @maltzj Less familiar: Explicit teaching/habit forming

@maltzj @maltzj More familiar: Socratic coaching/discovery Less familiar: Explicit teaching/habit
forming

@maltzj @maltzj

@maltzj • Have an opinionated process • Build good habits
early on • Make sure to take time to answer your mentee's questions 3 Things

@maltzj • How to Ask Good Questions - https://jvns.ca/blog/good-questions/ •
Giving and Getting Technical Help - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY14Er6JX2s • Power of Habit - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/ • Crucial Conversations - https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Business/ • Software Lead Weekly - http://softwareleadweekly.com/ • Technical onboarding with Kristen Gallaghar https://softwareengineeringdaily.com/2019/08/22/technical-onboarding-with-kristen-g allagher/ • The First 90 Days - https://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Strategies-Expanded/ Resources

@maltzj @maltzj https://boards.greenhouse.io/nuna/

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