Collaborating with Engineers

In this video, we discuss the importance of planning communication goals for engineers. We start by highlighting the four things that most people care about: making money, saving money, saving time, and getting ego or emotional needs met. Then, we delve into the three key aspects of communication goals: affective, behavioral, and cognitive. We explain how engineers need to feel a certain way in order to take action and how emotions play a crucial role in influencing their decisions. We also emphasize the significance of clear behavioral goals, such as delivering projects on time and on budget, to ensure successful outcomes. Lastly, we touch upon the cognitive aspect, emphasizing the importance of understanding what engineers want or need to comprehend in order to achieve the desired outcome. Overall, this video provides valuable insights and strategies for effective communication with engineers.

In this video, we discuss the art of persuading and influencing engineers and technical professionals. We emphasize the importance of focusing on the what and the why before the how, and how working backwards from the end result can be effective. We acknowledge the complexity of their work and the need to set guidelines and limits. We explore the three artistic proofs of persuasion: logos (logic), pathos (emotions), and ethos (trust), and how they can be used to engage engineers. We provide examples and ask viewers to analyze a TED Talk for these elements. Join us in mastering the art of persuasion and influence in the engineering world!

In this video, we discuss the challenges of communicating with engineers and other technical professionals. We explore strategies such as understanding their thought process, challenging the "I'm right" attitude, engaging curiosity, and using morally neutral language to describe communication differences. We also highlight the importance of remembering that we may be the difficult person for someone else. Watch to learn practical tips for effective communication with engineers and promoting collaboration.

In this video, we discuss four important conversations that everyone should be prepared for: making a positive request, admitting a mistake, delivering bad news, and resolving unproductive conversations. We provide a framework and sample scripts for each conversation to help you navigate them successfully. We also share insights from John and Julie Gottman. Make sure to download the scripts and join us as we explore these essential communication skills together.

We've come to the end of our module on communicating with engineers. And we want to give you some reflection and action planning. Check out the four ways to take immediate action on what you have learned.

In this video, we discuss the importance of productivity and time management for engineers. Many engineers struggle with feeling like there is never enough time to get things done to the desired level. We explore how a focus on goal attainment often overshadows the significance of productivity, time management, and profitability. Additionally, we touch on the challenges engineers face in managing their time and the need for awareness and improvement. The video concludes with practical tips and strategies for staying on course and increasing efficiency.

The Eisenhower Matrix provides a flexible framework for productivity. It provides a framework that we can use to distinguish between urgent tasks and important tasks. We want to help engineers and non-engineers be flexible in managing projects, supervising teams, and in their personal time management. Interruptions are going to come, changes are going to happen, and if you are flexible, versatile, and adaptable, you're going to feel better about your productivity.

In this video, we discuss the importance of avoiding rabbit holes in engineering and provide strategies to help engineers stay focused and productive. Rabbit holes are the trails we go down when we get curious and start asking "what if" questions, but they can take us off track and distract us from our goals. While curiosity is important, it's crucial to stay curious within a structure and in a productive way. We also emphasize the need to establish guidelines and milestones, involve technical teams in decision-making, separate idea generation from evaluation, and provide dedicated time for creativity. Watch the video to learn more and improve productivity in engineering!

In this video, we discuss the relationship between perfectionism and procrastination. We explore how these two behaviors often go hand in hand, with perfectionism leading to procrastination. We delve into the emotional aspect of procrastination, highlighting that it is more of an emotion management problem than a time management problem. Throughout the video, we provide insights and strategies for managers and colleagues to address perfectionism and procrastination in engineering teams. We emphasize the importance of setting realistic goals, understanding the 80/20 principle, and encouraging engineers to focus on probabilities rather than possibilities.

We've come to the end of our productivity and time management module. And we want to give you some reflection and action planning. Check out the four ways to take immediate action on what you have learned.

In this video, we will explore the topic of supervising engineers and how to effectively develop their skills and provide feedback. Supervision is an opportunity to help engineers recognize their strengths and leverage them while managing interferences. Whether you are an engineer supervising other engineers or a non-engineer supervising engineers, this video will guide you in setting them up for success and helping them reach their full potential. We discuss topics such as giving and receiving feedback, delegation, one-on-one conversations, and understanding their needs. Join us as we dive into the world of supervising engineers.

Feedback is (at least) a two-way street. Giving upward feedback is hard – and necessary. Learn four ways to ask for upward feedback that you may not have tried. Find out what to do after you get feedback.

In this video, we discuss the challenges of delegating to engineers and provide four key points to keep in mind. We address the emotional barriers that both the delegator and delegatee may face, such as the fear of the task not being done the same way as well as the fear of being replaced or losing credit. We also touch upon the importance of delegating tasks that are not the most productive use of our time, even if we enjoy them. Throughout the video, we offer concrete steps to overcome these emotional barriers and successfully delegate to engineers.

In this video, we discuss the importance of delegation and how it can benefit both managers and their team members. Delegating tasks not only helps managers free up their time, but also allows team members to feel trusted and valued. We provide insights on what tasks to delegate, such as routine or repetitive tasks, creative tasks, and tasks that you resent doing. We also highlight tasks that should not be delegated, such as poorly defined tasks. Additionally, we share tips on who to delegate to, considering factors like skills, interest, and developmental opportunities. By mastering the art of delegation, you can enhance productivity, foster collaboration, and empower your team to reach their full potential.

In this video, we discuss how to delegate using the R.A.C.I. model. This includes defining what our desired results are and establishing a level of autonomy. There should be a level of agreement on what the checkpoints, milestones and feedback are going to be. This is important in creating a motivating environment so that you can get out of the way and allow your team members to do their job.

In this video, we are going to talk about autonomy over task, autonomy over time, autonomy over technique and autonomy over team. We also discuss some questions you may want to ask the person you are delegating to, that include checkpoints, milestones and feedback. It is important to create a motivating environment for those that you are delegating to.

In this video, we discuss the misconceptions about one-on-one meetings and highlight the importance of empowering your engineers to take ownership of these meetings. We also emphasize the value of building rapport, engaging in big picture conversations, and addressing learning and development needs. Additionally, we provide guidance on how to normalize career coaching conversations and overcome challenges in having coaching conversations. Throughout the video, we share practical tips and strategies to enhance your skills.

In this video, we explain the GROW model for coaching, which is a user-friendly framework that can be used for career coaching or any kind of coaching conversation. The GROW model stands for Goal, Reality, Options, and Way Forward. We discuss each component in detail, emphasizing the importance of setting specific goals, understanding the current reality, exploring various options, and creating a specific action plan. This video provides valuable insights and guidance for effective coaching conversations and highlights the need for regular check-ins to support career growth.

In this video, we demonstrate how to use the GROW model to enhance our skills. We start by discussing a specific goal and explore the current state of our progress. Then, we brainstorm various options to improve, such as seeking advice from experts, reading books, or receiving coaching. We emphasize the importance of taking concrete actions rather than just talking about it. Finally, we set a plan to reach out to a colleague for guidance and schedule a follow-up conversation to share our learnings and accomplishments. Join me in using the GROW model to enhance your skills in your professional lives!

We've come to the end of our module on supervising engineers. And we want to give you some reflection and action planning. Check out the four ways to take immediate action on what you have learned.

Engineers are using the project management process to manage projects and tasks, so understanding the process and phases will enhance clarity. It’s important to develop a common language to communicate more effectively with everyone. You can build a rapport with engineers and technical teams by asking good questions. This will help technical teams think strategically, stay on-track, and exceed their goals.

In this video, we discuss the key aspects of project management, focusing on communication, planning, and escalation strategies. As an engineer, your role is to effectively communicate the why and the what of a project to your team. We provide insights on how to engage your engineers and design teams by asking good questions and creating a shared language.

In this video, we discuss how to encourage issue escalation in eight different ways. They include building a culture of trust and psychological safety. Learn how to normalize challenges and knowing when to ask if there is a problem that needs your attention. Feedback and creative thinking are important components to this issue. It is also important to discuss lessons learned so that you can apply them next time.

We've come to the end of our project management module. And we want to give you some reflection and action planning. Check out the four ways to take immediate action on what you have learned.

In this final part of the video series, we're wrapping up our discussion on time management, productivity, supervision, and project management. We'll share an inspiring quote from Ernest Hemingway and introduce the "rule of three" to help you put your newfound knowledge into action. The rule of three involves picking three things to work on, telling three people about your goals, and seeking feedback three times per month. It may seem like a lot, but it's the key to improvement. If you need support or someone to share your progress with, don't hesitate to reach out to us through the course's Q&A or message function. Let's celebrate your growth together!