Don't Speak in Code: Clear + Kind Communication Skills

[allypalanzi]

Don't Speak in Code: Clear + Kind Communication Skills

Type of Presentation

Lightning Talk or Full Length Talk

Description

In a world where we're so used to interacting with other humans shielded behind our screens, sometimes it's important to take a step back and realize that we are communicating with human beings who have feelings. We often dismiss this from time to time when tweeting, submitting issues to repositories, and submitting pull requests. Though it's not always intentional, as members of a community or workplace it is our responsibility to uphold a certain standard of empathy and understanding. Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment is important in order to foster diversity of people and skillsets which in turn creates stronger products and communities.

Thorough, thoughtful critique is extremely valuable, but what ends up happening more-so than not, is hurtful, empty, commentary.

In this talk, I'll discuss:

• How to effectively critique in public, provide context, and prevent insensitive remarks
• Code reviews / pull request / issue etiquette
• Providing guidelines for open source/internal repos
• How to avoid hurtful words and phrases
• Tips on how to communicate effectively

  Speaker Info (required)

• Name : Ally Palanzi
• Location : Washington, DC
• Contact : ally@palanzi.com

  Social Media:

• Twitter : @mylifeasalllly
• GitHub : allypalanzi
• Url(s) : allypalanzi.com

  Bio:

Ally Palanzi is a front-end engineer making internet things at Vox Media; publisher of Vox, Polygon, The Verge, SB Nation, Eater, Racked, and Curbed.

She is an active member of the DC design and tech community where she co-organizes the Sassy DC Meetup and advocates for DC Fem Tech.

Photo:

[scottkellum]

If this is like the talk you and Alisha gave at work, then :+1: so awesome and much needed.

[allypalanzi]

Yup! Going to be kind of similar to that talk.

[chriseppstein]

This sounds like a great talk. I worry it will be hard to give it in lightning talk format. There's a lot to cover!

[allypalanzi]

@chriseppstein i gave a similar one previously that was a lightening talk – but i could probably push it to be longer. i am just a n00b speaker and kinda scared :see_no_evil:

[scottkellum]

@allypalanzi Everyone will have a mentor to check in and help guide you through prep where you need anything. It’s gonna be ok.