On having a "brand" and a self

How to maintain some boundaries between having a brand and being a regular person on the internet: Post as if someone you don't know with no sense of boundaries is going to be reading this content with a fine-tooth comb three years in the future.

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blog, how I workRyn Daniels
On conversations

In meetings, conversations, and conferences, time and attention are finite resources. I would love for people who have had so many opportunities to speak already given to them to think about what they are taking away from our collective conversations by continuing to dominate them, and to maybe take a step back and suggest someone else for that opportunity to speak instead.

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On showing up to the table

Think about the meetings that you’re in, the tables that you sit at, and I want you to count how many of the people sitting at those tables are people like you. And then ask yourself what you can do to make the tables you sit at more inclusive of and welcoming to people who aren’t like you.

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On becoming a senior engineer

If you're an engineer trying to figure out how to get to senior, look at how well your organization helps people grow. Some environments or teams are much more suited for more experienced people, which doesn't mean that they're inherently bad, but not every place will provide you with the support you need to grow. Learn as much as you can, but don't waste your time in an environment that isn't invested in your growth or in helping you succeed.

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On sarcasm and trust

When you’re severely burnt out, cynicism and pessimism become coping mechanisms, because if you expect mistrust and misalignment from the beginning, you won’t be negatively surprised by them, as if the expectation of hurt will keep it from stinging quite so badly. Snark becomes a shield you hide behind because it’s easier to do that than to deal with being disappointed by another colleague or company.

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On breaking out of echo chambers

I know that it can feel awkward to start moving outside of your normal circles and comfort zone. But don't expect other people to do this work for you for free as their second or third shift. Let's all help to make our community a stronger and more diverse one, but please don't ask the marginalized individuals in our community to do all the heavy lifting.

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On distributed teams and (not) being remote

Not only are there benefits for individual employees by allowing them to work wherever is best for them, allowing for remote workers allows access to a bigger pool of candidates. It's time for companies and hiring managers to take a good look at their cultures and job requirements. What things are actually required to do a particular job well?

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