Tech Flow Ep.3 - Aurimas

Pardon me for being away for a bit, but hey, life happens and some unplanned things arise, so here we are with another episode of Tech flow!?

Our guest will cover what it takes to build a great engineering culture that would function well and have all the right people.?

This time it will not be my current colleague (well, maybe one day), but someone I met at a conference. I've known Aurimas for quite some time now (2 years maybe? Something like that).? During one of the conferences, we exchanged a few sentences, and I noticed, that he was one of the most humble IT guys I know. He did not look down on someone that has asymmetrical knowledge in the tech field and was more than happy to explain everything in a simple, easy-to-understand way. We meet up quite often these days as well - have lunch, discuss what's happening on the market, and of course - the current tech landscape.

Also, Aurimas has a really nice offer for some of you! (see below).

How to build functional engineering teams?

I believe that the foundation for a functional (healthy) team is culture. “The five dysfunctions of a team” should be used as a guidebook. Everyone in the team needs to have a voice & everyone's opinion has to be treated with respect. There are no stupid or smart questions - all questions need to be answered.

Another point in having an efficient team - is an automated workstream. Always discuss & challenge the way the team works. Look for ways to improve the process. From dev environment setup, code review process, to release, to production. Create fast feedback loops. Most of the things can be automated & it’s already automated by other companies.

Most of us aren’t building things that are “rocket science”. 9/10 times another company already had the same problem and found a solution. Understand it, adopt it.

What are the key things in establishing a healthy engineering culture within the organization?

"Healthy organizational culture starts with healthy teams"

When we speak about healthy engineering culture or culture in general - I look at Open Source Community. It’s a very diverse space, where people with different backgrounds get together & everyone is respected. Everyone can contribute. Either it’s a core change, easy fix, or documentation update.

Healthy organizational culture starts with healthy teams. If the team collaborates and engages, what manager needs to do - is enable them to speak with wider audiences. Create guilds, and chapters - create platforms for engineers to exchange their ideas, and share challenges they’re facing.

The organization has to create a tech community inside. I believe that changes should come from the bottom (teams), not from the top (management). Management needs to enable teams, to create a platform for them. Teams should be the ones that drive engineering culture.

When managers start to hear people from different teams discussing tech problems in the kitchen, it means you’re on the right track.

"A-players" in the team: blessing or a curse?

"A type players" are a good addition to the team. They can drive high engineering culture, but it also comes with the risk. You need to understand what type of players you’re having within the team.

Don’t have a wide gap between team members. You might end up in a situation where "A player" does everything himself because he/she doesn’t trust other team members or doesn’t believe in their competence.

A “holy grail” is to find "A player" who is willing to teach (grow) others. You, as a manager, only need to guide "A player" with priorities & allow him to create a grow path for teammates. At the end of the day, you could have more "A players".

As a manager, you should avoid having several "A players" with D personality. When you have several dominant players in the room - it's a matter of time before conflict arises. Both of them want to be leaders & dominate most aspects of the process. Put them in different teams & product will start to flourish.

What's the usual process of tech/tools selection for a new project?

If you have an opportunity to start a greenfield project (product) & you’re in power to choose technology. Look at the team you have. Don’t try new shiny things if you don’t have any expertise (yourself or within the team). You’ll struggle because the business will want results & you’ll be in the technology learning path. Also, consider what can help to hire in the market - niche technologies require niche engineers.

Good read about technologies - https://boringtechnology.club

"Try, test & adopt or reject"

It’s completely opposite when you have the product in production. Create a culture where teams can do Proof of Concept (PoC). Allow teams to submit ideas on how products could be built in better shape. If it’s trying new technology (Go instead of Java services), allow them to submit ideas. Discuss this (I like Open Source - Request For Comments (RFC) culture).

Try, test & adopt or reject.

What are your typical ways/hobbies to "disconnect" from work?

My biggest passion is parenting. I’m a father of 3 wonderful kids. They teach me a lot, they gave me a different perspective to life. What really matters & what will remain after us.

On the fun side - I usually say, what works with kids, works with colleagues. Just on a different level.

Football is a baseline for whole my life (up to Today). I started playing football when I was five. Football allowed me to understand that I can be a leader (manager). First I became a leader in the pitch & then a manager (leader) in a company.

Everything that you do - shapes you as a person as a human being.

Apart from football I enjoy running, and cycling.

Coffee is my other passion - from time to time you can spot me in different coffee shops in Vilnius.

What helped you grow as a person and what would you recommend for your peers?

A lot of things and events shaped me as a person, but if I would need to highlight & provide this as a material to anyone:

?? Minimalism - Leo Babauta, The minimalists provided me with needed perspective about desires & what you have is enough. Gratefulness for life & every day came from here.

?? Meditation - time with myself is the most expensive time. Be with your thoughts, follow them. Allow your mind to clear. After this, you’ll be a lot calmer.

???? Alan Wats - just watch his lectures. Start with “What if money was no object” & “The real you”

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That’s why it’s called a present.”

SPECIAL OFFER. Aurimas agreed to provide his guidance and share his knowledge with those that are willing to learn more. He is ready to share his expertise with 1-2 people and mentor them. Format - one live or video session once a week/two weeks. Don’t miss your chance to learn new things from the best in the market!?(Drop him a Linkedin message).