A Developer’s Fear

I've writing about the effects of fear on a Developer (and a human) over the last couple of weeks, here are some quotes that I've been tweeting on the way:- 

1. When a team recognizes failure without blame or embarrassment the fear of experimentation evaporates and creativity can flourish.                                                                                                          

2.  At sea we felt fear of fire, rocks and drowning but it was no comparison to the fear I felt sat in a cubicle in my first office job.                                                                                                                                           

3. I learnt to love those who repressed my creativity and worked hard to please them by excelling at the routine. 

                                                                                                                       

4. A preference for elegant code over people’s messy behavior encouraged me to create a protective bubble around myself.       

                                                                                                              

5. My bubble consisted of a pair of headphones and technical language designed to alienate rather than communicate with clarity.                                                                                                                                           

6.  In a team free of fear I listen with an open mind. Ideas emerge and strengthen with each contribution. Creativity bonds us.    

                                                                                                                      

7. I need a respectable position in this informal social hierarchy – it stands in the way of treating all people equally and listening openly.       

                                                                                                                     

8. Without fear our minds are free* to find better ways of working. We do it every day, all day. We do “the work” as we discover the methods.       

                                                                                                                  

9. If you Ask me and I’ll tell you about my strong belief in equality, step inside my head and I’m deciding whether to look up to or down on you.      

                                                                                                            

10. Thinking about the way I behaved before working in supportive team. Fear and competition often lead to sarcasm and condescension.    

                                                                                                                           

11. As we grew as a team, dysfunctional behaviors caused by fear started to evaporate and be replaced with supportive and empathetic ones. 

                                                                                                                           

12. Fear can utterly dominate our behavior. It stops us thinking, helping, learning, discovering and sharing; the things we need in abundance.

13. Without the proper guidance, structure, and talent, junior developers can distract and degrade the output of any team.