DEV Community: Leo Gopal

A series that is hype free, optimistic and cautious, but most of all written accessibly no matter your current level. All things dev's should understand about #ai fast. Thanks Dev. This should be a book & course next. @dev_patel_35864ca1db6093c

Leo Gopal — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:52:27 +0000

Dev Patel

Aug 18 '25

Decoding the Secrets of Your Machine Learning Model: Confusion Matrices, ROC Curves, and AUC

#machinelearning #python #datascience #ai

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3 min read

#BestTips: What tips do you have to Better Communication, as-a-dev?

Leo Gopal — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:17:27 +0000

Hey DEV Squad! 👋

Got those coding skills on lock 🔒, but how do you fare when it's time to step up the communication game?

Good news: Stellar communication is just as crucial as your top-notch coding project. 🌟

I've shared my four simplest communication strategies right here to help you smooth over team interactions, dodge those pesky misunderstandings, elevate your writing, sail through conflicts, and converse like a pro with the non-tech crowd, making sure your genius ideas truly hit the mark. ✨

Dive in: 4 Simple Tips to Boost Your Dev Communication

4 Simple Tips to Better Communication for devs. (or how to avoid conflict, confusion, and talk to people).

Leo Gopal ・ Jan 31 '20

#webdev #psychology #discuss #career

Your turn now! 🎤

What secret weapons do you wield for killer chats, emails, writing enhancements, or even conquering those meetings we'd rather not attend? 📧🤝

Whether it’s a genius tool, a shift in perspective, or a killer routine, drop your best practices for first-class dev dialogue here.

Let’s kick miscommunication to the curb, together. 🚫🗣️

Spill your Communication #BestTips in the comments! Let’s hear them! 📣

From Doubt to Growth: Can we think differently about Imposter Syndrome?

Leo Gopal — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 01:03:29 +0000

Feeling like a fraud, or imposter syndrome, is something a lot of us deal with. It's when you think you're not as good as everyone else thinks you are. But what if we could see this feeling as something helpful instead of something that holds us back? Let's break it down into simpler parts and find out how to make the most of these feelings.

What Is Imposter Syndrome Really About?

It Means You Care: If you're worried about being an imposter, it shows you really want to do well and keep getting better. It's a sign you're down-to-earth and always trying to improve.
It Keeps You Learning: That nagging feeling is like a reminder that there's always more to learn out there.

The Bright Side of Feeling Unsure

Keeps You Going: Facing challenges, including feeling like an imposter, can actually make us stronger, just like exercising makes our muscles stronger.
Brings Us Closer: Talking about our doubts can help us connect with others who feel the same way, making us feel less alone.

How to Handle the Hard Parts

Feeling like an imposter isn't all sunshine and rainbows; it can be really tough sometimes. Here are some ways to deal with the hard parts:

Be Your Own Best Friend: Treat yourself kindly, just like you would with a friend who's feeling down.
Ask How You're Doing: Getting feedback from others can help clear things up and make you feel better.
Break It Down: Tackling big tasks in smaller pieces can make things seem more doable.

Thinking Differently for a Better Journey

Changing the way we think about ourselves and our abilities can make a huge difference:

Believe in Getting Better: Thinking that we can always improve with practice, rather than believing our abilities are fixed, can help us grow.
It's Okay to Share: Letting people see the real you, doubts and all, can lead to stronger friendships and more support.
Focus on the Ride, Not the Destination: Enjoying the process of learning and growing, rather than obsessing over being perfect, makes the journey more fun.

What Psychology Tells Us

Understanding a bit about psychology can give us clues on why changing our mindset is helpful:

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: This fancy term means that often, people who aren't that good at something think they're great, while people who are actually skilled tend to doubt themselves. This shows us that doubting ourselves doesn't mean we're not good; it often means we're more aware and capable than we think.

Wrapping It Up

Looking at imposter syndrome in a new light reminds us that it's a complex issue but also a chance to grow and connect with others. By getting to know it better and changing how we think about it, we can make our journey, both in our personal lives and at work, more fulfilling. Remember, feeling unsure at times is part of being human and trying to get better. It's not about never doubting ourselves but learning how to move forward with those doubts.

A few years ago I wrote the start of feeling differently about Imposter Syndrome

The Bright Side of Imposter Syndrome.

Leo Gopal ・ Feb 6 '20

#discuss #help #devlife #growth

The post The bright side of imposter syndrome. appeared first on Leo Gopal.

What do you think?

Share your thoughts below.

The happy dev community: A value-driven manifesto.

Leo Gopal — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 21:26:52 +0000

In the collaborative world, we are in, dev-communities can easily thrive, fail, or merely survive. The best developer and coder communities and projects often create a culture where everyone feels valued and safe both as a newcomer or veteran.

Here are some core values I believe in creating and sustaining happy developer communities in the long and short term. If anything, we can each aspire towards these are values.

1. Discrimination limits us:

All discrimination or exclusionary things: This includes discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, nationality, technology and any other arbitrary exclusion of a group of people.

2. Boundaries honour us.

Your comfort levels are not everyone’s comfort levels. Remember that, and if brought to your attention, heed it.

3. We are our most significant assets.

None of us was born masters of our trade. Each of us has, at some point, received help along the way. Return that favour when and where you can.

4. We are resources for the future.

As an extension of #3, share what you know. Make yourself a resource to help those that come after you.

5. Respect defines us:

Treat others better than you wish to be treated and better than you may think they deserve. Make your discussions, criticisms and debates from a position of respectfulness. Ask yourself, is it true? Is it necessary? Is it constructive? Anything less is unacceptable.

6. Reactions require grace.

Angry responses are valid, but abusive language and vindictive actions are toxic. When something happens, that offends you, handle it assertively, but be respectful. Escalate reasonably, and try to allow the offender an opportunity to explain themselves and possibly correct the issue.

7. Opinions are just that: opinions.

Every one of us, due to our background and upbringing, have varying opinions. That is perfectly acceptable. Remember this: if you respect your own opinions, you should respect the opinions of others.

8. To err is human.

You might not intend it, but mistakes do happen and contribute to building experience. Tolerate honest mistakes, and don’t hesitate to apologize if you make one yourself.

Your values

What would you add to this list?

4 Simple Tips to Better Communication for devs. (or how to avoid conflict, confusion, and talk to people).

Leo Gopal ・ Jan 31 '20

#webdev #psychology #discuss #career

The happy dev community: A value-driven manifesto. was written by Leo Gopal and appeared first on Leo Gopal.

Don't aim for 'Senior'

Leo Gopal — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:55:06 +0000

Something to think about and discuss.

No one really knows what senior means.
Time doesn't mean better.
Who's to judge?

What should be the aim?

I think its adaptability and being able to problem solve best (and the best problem solving is avoiding it all together).

Your thoughts?

Humor: Share your favourite tech/dev joke/puns!

Leo Gopal — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:41:10 +0000

It's been quite a few weeks and the world is so serious, lets have a little light heart dev-centric nerd-humor.

Share your fave dev/tech jokes or pranks or stories or puns!

What does success look like to you?

Leo Gopal — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 18:13:18 +0000

I would love to know what you consider success?
What does Successful look for you?

Here is a brief version of mine:

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Success, for me, is (1) the acquisition of time, not money (though it obviously helps), and (2) reduce my "desire inbox" to zero - what you desire owns you, one who wants nothing cannot be bought.

Saying "yes" here is a "no" there. Improve and reduce your "yes's".

WP&UP #PressForward Podcast: Helping my future self help itself – #038

Leo Gopal — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 17:04:00 +0000

In this podcast episode on WPandUP (now Big Orange Heart), I have a lovely chat with Nathan Wrigley around mental health sharing a lot of my own story to help others and myself realise we are not alone. Originally posted → Helping my future self help itself – #038

The post WP&UP #PressForward Podcast: Helping my future self help itself – #038 appeared first on Big Orange Heart with Leo Gopal.

The Bright Side of Imposter Syndrome.

Leo Gopal — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 22:33:22 +0000

In my decade in the tech industry, I have never met a person who has experienced imposter syndrome who was terrible at their vocation.

As a side-note confession, I have, many times in my career -- especially during times of transition -- I, too, have experienced, like most, the pangs of imposter syndrome with one's work and abilities.

Imposter Syndrome, is the self-doubt in one's abilities to be able to succeed in what you or others have entrusted in you to accomplish.

That is what is like the first few times you feel it.

I want to offer an alternative view: Imposter Syndrome, to me, is the acute awareness of the higher abilities of others for which I have yet to acquire and of which I do aspire. This awareness presents itself to many as the sensation of the deep contrast between the ability we see in others and the inadequacy we see in ourselves.

How does one see the brighter side of this, or overcome it?

As I said at the start, I have never met a person who has experienced imposter syndrome and who was terrible at their job.

To feel imposter syndrome, to be aware of one's own inadequacy requires a reasonable amount of intelligence to know that one is actually inadequate at that thing.

In psychology, I learned of the Dunning Kruger effect, a cognitive bias that showed that one who is lesser adept at something would estimate their ability in that thing. In contrast, someone of considerable skill would be more likely aware of their inadequacy in it.

Bertrand Russel said it best:

"The fundamental cause of the trouble in the modern world today is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt."

---Bertrand Russell.

René Descartes, most famously known for his mathematical work on the cartesian plane, also answered a very philosophical question of how one could be sure of their own existence; he said: "Je pense, donc je suis" (I think; therefore I am).

Dubito ergo, cogito ergo, sum.

(I doubt; therefore, I think; therefore, I am)

Further articulated by Antoine Léonard Thomas

A final quote of wiser men to drive this idea further; John Cleese briefly explaining the Dunning Kruger effect (with his incredible wit to accompany it):

John Cleese on Competency and the Dunning Kruger Effect.

Imposter Syndrome as a sign of progression

This perspective of Imposter Syndrome that I have been presenting so far also gives way to realizing that experiencing this very uncomfortable feeling is part and symbol of one's own progress and development.

You need to have reached a level of understanding that is enough to bring yourself to the awareness of all that is still for you to know; this awareness only comes to those who know enough and which is unavailable do entirely those who know far less.

A change in perspective to accelerate growth

The knowledge of the above and from studying and learning from those much wiser than I am has allowed me to identify a few traits that these more intelligent mentors of mine have, which once I adopted has elementary but profoundly changed my life.

Excitement over self-doubt:

When presented with a problem, a new one, one which I do not yet clearly see the solution, instead of ruminating in my insufficiency, and giving in to my self-doubt, I am now excited. I understand this to be an opportunity of growth, learning, and improvement, for once I solve this new problem, I will forever have gained from reaching its solution.

You either succeed, or you learn:

You will also learn to let go of failure; you will either succeed, or you will learn. Failure exists only for those who do not learn.

Final thoughts:

Energy is a resource that you kind either spend feeling inadequate or spend in becoming adequate.

Most go through the first then improve; why not skip straight to your betterment.

What are your thoughts?

The post The bright side of imposter syndrome. appeared first on Leo Gopal.

From Doubt to Growth: Can we think differently about Imposter Syndrome?

Leo Gopal ・ Mar 12

#discuss #career #learning #webdev

On usefulness over accuracy in dev – the broken clock conundrum.

Leo Gopal — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 01:58:25 +0000

Here is a thought experiment. Imagine two clocks; both analogue.

The first clock is broken. But in terms of accuracy its exactly correct twice a day.

The second clock is a minute off; technically, it's the most useful one; but it's never exactly correct. But it's the one thats useful.

I see coding and the technologies we use to be of a similar fashion - and that too the religiosity of "standards" and "best practices".

I think its far better to be more frequently useful, even if we may not yet be doing what is seen as the correct or right way...

Be useful is more important than being right and problematic.

Get it done, then on to the next and do that better.

What's your opinion?

The post On usefulness over accuracy in dev – the broken clock conundrum. appeared first on Leo Gopal.

On usefulness over accuracy in dev - the broken clock conundrum.

Leo Gopal — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 01:30:45 +0000

Here is a thought experiment. Imagine two clocks; both analogue.

The first clock is broken. But in terms of accuracy its exactly correct twice a day.

The second clock is a minute off; technically, it's the most useful one; but it's never exactly correct. But it's the one thats useful.

I see coding and the technologies we use to be of a similar fashion - and that too the religiosity of "standards" and "best practices".

I think its far better to be more frequently useful, even if we may not yet be doing what is seen as the correct or right way...

Be useful is more important than being right and problematic.

Get it done, then on to the next and do that better.

4 Simple Tips to Better Communication for devs. (or how to avoid conflict, confusion, and talk to people).

Leo Gopal — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 09:12:00 +0000

If I were to look back over my last decade in the tech world and pick one thing as my single best decision as a developer - I'd say choosing to study psychology rather than computer science.

The most significant impact studying psychology had was on my communication skills, which, as a developer, put me in a very wonderfully unique position.

The improvement in communication has had many benefits, to name a few:

Understanding that people (clients, colleagues, friends) all want to feel a specific emotion and what they are asking for is what they believe would give them that - aim for the feeling.
It can avoid confusion by being able to talk fluently to clients, project/product/marketing managers, as well as my dev teams.
Improved communication skills reduce conflicts, upset clients, damaging relationships.
Communication skills also improve relationship building, grow your network, build rapport, and ultimately be someone no one finds unapproachable.
BONUS Side-effect: Being a developer is no longer all your limited to being.

With the new landscape of the developer career ecosystem, I find that those who are good at many things and master of nothing specific are progressing most significantly.

I am not a master at anything.

Jack of all trades, master of none, but often better than a master of one.

Now, for those 4 Simple Tips, I promised you. These little tips or practices have been in my communication toolbelt for quite sometime. I recently read a great book, which helped add more structure to what I was already doing: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life (non-aff link here).

TL;DR

Here are the four language tips for the impatient ;) (keep reading if you want to understand them with greater clarity):

Choose observation language without evaluation or judgment based language.
Share how this observation makes you feel without implying blame or accusation.
Share the need you have; that is the reason for this feeling.
Make requests of what you feel with satisfying the need you have without demanding.

It is also important to realize that any communication should be a giving and receiving pastime.

The foundation of better communication in either direction is to remember this fundamental goal:

When expressing: Communicate how you are without the language of blame, criticism, or judgment.
When listening: Hear how you are, empathetically, without hearing blame, criticism, or judgment.

BONUS: Listening well can often be more powerful than talking well.

By sharing and expressing oneself in a way that offers to share how you feel and your perspective without language that places the other person as the reason for how you feel also allows you an avenue to being more honest and transparent (without feeling guilty or fearing conflict).

Sharing more allows for more understanding and empathy from others as they now know you better and where you are in perspective. Ultimately, this approach forces the interpersonal connection by acknowledging wants, needs, actions, and desires.

1. Observations over evaluations

State what you know to be accurate, over leading to evaluation about it.

Instead of:

"You're unreliable and wasted my time."

Use:

"We had a meeting today (fact) which you did not make it attend (fact); I hope everything is ok (non-judgment), is there a better time we can schedule? (solution)"

People are likely to disagree with evaluation based statements as they may have different core values which allow for miscommunication over resolution.

2. Express how this observation makes you feel.

Naming the emotion, without moral judgment, enables you to connect in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation. This expression allows you to express yourself without shaming them for their feelings or preventing them from feeling the way they do.

Instead of:

"I think you are disrespectful of others' time and selfish when you miss a meeting like today."

Use:

"I feel concerned when you miss a meeting without informing us; I feel letting me know would have allowed me to use that time better."

3. Share the need/value that is the cause of the feeling.

All of our emotional reactions to what happens around us very often stem from a core need or value that we have and that we wish to acquire.

Sharing this need without judgment allows us to both understand what we want at a deeper level and offers clarity to the other in how they may help us achieve this or, at the very least, empathize through understanding where our needs are.

4. Make a gentle request that satisfies this need.

Especially when emotions are peaked, we often share, unhelpfully, how we are feeling now, and how much this is not what we want to be feeling. Behavior like this does not move one any closer to the feelings we do want to have - and very often, it stops us from ever getting there at all.

If we do share what we need, we tend to communicate it as a demand, not a request - this strips the other of their right of consent and their desire to help. If this demand is met, it is far less out of voluntary desire; and more out of pressure, guilt, or compliance.

It is far better to have someone want to help you than it is to have that have to help you.

Instead of:

"I set up another meeting at the same time tomorrow; please don't waste my time again."

Use:

"This progress of this project is important to me, and I need to feel secure that you can get it done; Can you help me by giving me a few meeting times that you are sure you would be able to attend. This certainty will help me feel more confident in our partnership."

In-conclusion-ipsum

These four simple communication practices, although seemingly obvious, when practiced mindfully, can deeply improve all areas of one's communication and interactions with others.

If we use these practices in our self-talk and be more understanding and forgiving of our flaws, we stand a chance to improve our relationship with ourselves - and let the cup floweth over.

Did you find these tips useful?

Do you have any tips or stories of your own when you felt a practice or mindset improved your communication?

Please share your story, let's communicate :)

The post 4 Simple Tips to Better Communication for devs. (or how to avoid conflict, confusion, and talk to people). appeared first on Leo Gopal.