blog: all problems are people problems

src/content/blog/2022-11-28-all-problems.md

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+---
+title: "All Problems are People Problems"
+date: 2022-11-28T22:52:49Z
+slug: 2022-11-28-all-problems
+author: Thomas Wilson
+---
+
+As a novice software engineer I thought that problems were technical.  Or that the hard or "real" problems were technical. I thought that they were about knowing which steps to take, or the magic words that the compiler/runtime wanted me to type. 
+
+As a novice software engineering leader, I believe that all problems are actually people problems. 
+
+People might not understand the reason why they're entering magic words into the computer.  This can mean they write incomprehensible, insecure, or non-performant software.
+
+People might think you're not treating their work as importantly as they think it should be.  They might start chasing for updates, or requesting lots of feedback.
+
+People might think the thing you're doing is too short-sighted.  Or long-sighted.  They might start asking for high-fidelity estimates or mock-ups before that work would be useful.
+
+There is a _low_ chance that somebody will say "I don't think you're treating my work importantly enough so may I please ask for a list of prioritised work for the next three months".  They might say or do other things.  Or they might _say_ nothing.
+
+If you want to understand a problem, do the work of understanding the people facing, fixing, or creating a problem.  
+
+To understand people, talk with them.
+
+You should talk honestly.  
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+It is hard to talk honestly about some things.  Or rather, it is easy to be dishonest about some things.  Feelings, fears, and blame are some things I find it easy to be dishonest about. 
+
+You should try to remove as much discomfort from dishonesty as possible.  Or honesty should be the most comfortable state.  
+
+Do things that invite or encourage honesty with people.  This might look like asking someone if and why they feel frustrated.  
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+It might look like telling someone that it would feel uncomfortable to give them an honest answer.
+
+If something prevents you from understanding a person, it stops you from understanding (at least some of) a problem. 
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+When you fail to invite, encourage, or demonstrate talking with people in an honest way then acknowledge and apologise privately, and then as publicly as appropriate.  
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