Switching context
Eddie and Morgan discuss the challenges of productivity and time management in R&D organizations. The conversation delves into the inefficiencies caused by context switching, the value of large blocks of uninterrupted work, effective management practices, and the significance of having well-defined organization and communication norms. They introduce the concept of 'team hours' to improve productivity, and touch upon tools and approaches to minimize disruptions and maintain a focused work environment.Key points include the detrimental effects of instant messaging, the need for a consistent approach across all teams, and the potential of focused time management to enhance overall efficiency.
- (00:00) - Introduction and Today's Topic
- (00:51) - The AI Dilemma: Replacing Humans
- (01:58) - Macro vs. Micro Perspectives on AI
- (03:07) - Effective Management Strategies
- (04:54) - Listener's Question: Engineering Team Productivity
- (08:25) - The Cost of Context Switching
- (16:04) - Implementing Team Hours for Focused Work
- (20:19) - The Importance of Team Alignment
- (20:38) - Challenges of Global Team Coordination
- (22:09) - The Debate on No Meetings Day
- (23:52) - Instant Messaging: A Double-Edged Sword
- (26:07) - Effective Communication Strategies
- (31:30) - Managing Channels and Reducing FOMO
- (36:52) - Technical Aspects and Tooling
- (39:09) - Conclusion and Listener Engagement
Creators and Guests
Host
Eddie Flaisler
Eddie is a classically-trained computer scientist born in Romania and raised in Israel. His experience ranges from implementing security systems to scaling up simulation infrastructure for Uber’s autonomous vehicles, and his passion lies in building strong teams and fostering a healthy engineering culture.
Host
Morgan VanDerLeest
Trying to make software engineering + leadership a better place to work. Dad. Book nerd. Pleasant human being.
