deanbaker/apache-kafka-three-ways

AK3W: Open Source Apache Kafka Workshop

Hi, I'm Dean 👋

And this is my Managers README

Firstly, I'm looking forward to working with you! This document is not supposed to replace real 1:1 time getting to know you; it might help you get an understanding of me and help keep me accountable in my job in helping you.

A bit about me

I have been in the industry for 20 years now. I have experience working across consulting, startups and enterprise which I think has given me some good exposure to what I see working well, and not so well.

Starting as a young Java engineer, I have also used Ruby and Go in the back end, and at times even dabbled in the front-end space (from old server-side JSPs to React SPAs). My time as a ruby engineer really kickstarted my love for testing and automation (those loosely typed languages!) and you will find me pushing quality at all times.

I have experience running distributed teams across geographies (mostly India and the Philippines), working with build partners such as Accenture, Thoughtworks and CapG - I am looking forward to working with Realtair employees directly in this environment without having to go through a middleman SI :)

Content about me

I like to share my thoughts on Medium.com - you can see my work here: Medium Blog.

If you are interested in looking at of my work history, I can be found on LinkedIn - please connect if you haven't already.

More personal stuff

I live outside of metro Melbourne in a city called Geelong - we moved down here mid-pandemic in 2020 and have not looked back! We are close to the surf coast and are able to head to the beach any weekend we feel like it, which is fantastic. We are raising two little girls that are 2 years and 1 day apart, so that keeps me busy.

I have been practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a few years now, it's been on hold since starting a family, but I am looking forward to getting a cadence of training now that we are out of the pandemic, and I can start to shape up some lunch time sessions. If you ever want to hang out and talk BJJ or MMA, I'd love the change from talking about Monoliths and Microservices :)

My role as Head of Engineering 🌉

I see my role here at Realtair as one of an enabler. I like to use the term force multiplier from time to time, but when I reflect, what I genuinely want to do is help you to become the best engineer you can be.

I have spent a lot of time working on engineering team structures, heavily invested in the Team Topologies framework. You will see some of these ideas come through, and hopefully it will make our teams more effective and quick to add value for our customers.

In a little more detail, I strive to:

• Make sure you are both successful and happy: I want you to improve your technical skills, grow your career, and enjoy your work.
• Bring experience and consistency to our team: I have experience leading technology teams and want to ensure that we are using the right tools at the right time.
• Drive initiatives across Technology that will directly feed into your Learning & Development, as well as general ways of working.
• Reduce the friction you face day-to-day. This will come in all shapes and sizes; some will be quick wins we can drive together, some might be larger pieces of work that will need the whole team behind.

Sometimes people read my role as "the person who will tell us exactly what to do, and how to do it". I am not here to do that; I am here to make sure that you have the tools and resources to get the job done. I will most certainly have opinions about many things, and I expect to be respectfully challenged by you! I am not here to dictate or tell you what to do. I will be as direct as I can in my support of your work.

My main goal is to be someone who can help move your career forward by supporting your personal L&D, aligned to our technology strategy, and removing potential roadblocks or friction to enable you to do your best work.

One-on-ones 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏻

I will schedule a fortnightly 30 minute catchup in your calendar for a 1:1. I like to start with a 2 week interval as a starting point, we can work out the cadence that suits you best moving forward - we can adjust at any time.

This time is for you! I will be able to give some updates on company or technology strategy; ultimately, I want to use this time to check in with you and see if there is anything I can do to help you on your journey. I want to move the focus away from a standup-like conversation or status report. Use this time to focus on how you are tracking with your team, tribe and career in general.

If there is something in particular you would like to go deep on, send out a rough agenda or outline of what you would like to talk about or achieve and I will prepare as best I can.

I like to give ownership of this relationship to you. I will of course guide and start the process, ultimately this is your time for your development.

My Schedule 📅

I am living outside of Metro Melbourne at the moment, so you can expect to see me in the office one or two days a fortnight (Melbourne Stone & Chalk)

We will most likely be working across timezones, so if you receive a message or email from me outside of your usual business working hours, please do not feel the need to respond ASAP. I do like to keep lunch times free of meetings, this can be hard across timezones but I will make every effort not to take your time either.

How to reach me 📫

The Calendar rules my day, so the best way to find structured time with me is to block out some time there. I am also 100% available on messenger, although I may be slow to respond if I am in meetings.

I prefer asynchronous communication since we are all remote, but recognise the power of a meeting. Feel free to use whichever medium suits you best.

I have an "Open Door" policy - feel free to reach out whenever you like, we do not need to abide by calendar invites to start talking.

What I am working on 🔭

Apart from getting to know the business, I am currently my focus is on the following areas:

• Team Topologies - engineering teams and organisations
• Giving and Recieving feedback
• Making my work more visible to the team, becoming more transparent
• Commiting to fewer things (so hard with so much to do!)

Feedback 🎺

I am working hard to get better at giving and receiving feedback. At the time of writing this README we are going through a global pandemic, so giving timely and constructive feedback is much harder. I am spending a little more time reflecting and finding the time and space to give feedback where possible.

I will try my best to give specific, objective and timely feedback where I can - if you would like more or less feedback, please let me know.

Any feedback you have for me is always much appreciated.