How to Talk to Developers - Ben Orenstein (@r00k) - RailsConf 2013

gistfile1.md

How to Talk to Developers

Ben Orenstein (@r00k)

Obey Law of Demeter

• Reduces coupling
• Enables refactoring

Throw something weird at people to keep their attention. Bored people don't learn anything, so focus on entertainment over being informative.

Write like a newspaper

• Each paragraph depends on the previous one
• So you can end it at any time
• Start with the thesis

Vim Tip

• Relative line numbers
• :help, then find the 'Editing Effectively' section

Slides are like photographs, live coding is like video

Body language

• Don't cross arms or fold hands together (back nor front)
• Bend elbows, be neutral and open

People like stories

• Developers especially like embarassing stories about programmers worse than them
• The Daily WTF is popular for a reason

Nervousness

• Being nervous is inevitable, so accept it
• Beta blockers will lower your physical response to fight/flight
• Power posing
  • When you act confident, your brain adjusts and you believe it
  • Fake it 'til you make it
  • Do a power pose (arms up) for 2 minutes before a talk
• Look for the 'nodders' in your crowd for a confidence boost

Antipatterns in Talks

• Not being crazy in talks
  • Be super passionate
• Double check your slides to make sure people in the back can read it
• Pre-apologizing
  • Hard to avoid
  • Don't set low expectations
• Not leaving any empty space
  • Say "Let's ask some questions"
  • Wait 5 seconds (even though it feels forever)
  • Put hands behind back and lean forward (listening pose)
• Talking first on the last day
• Giving talks in large rooms
  • Request for small rooms so it looks more packed

And then... singing!