2 engineers discussing many things about Software Development (feat. Serkan Durusoy)

In this conversation, Serkan Durusoy, the head of engineering at Okra, discusses his background, living on a sailboat, and his passion for engineering. He emphasizes the importance of creativity and art in engineering and how personal background and upbringing can influence problem-solving approaches. Serkan also explores the balance between individual approaches and the need for alignment on outcomes in engineering teams. He highlights the role of personal relationships and the challenges of making tough decisions as a manager. In this conversation, Krish and Serkan discuss various topics related to software engineering and career development. They explore managing differences as a manager, the challenges of remote work, choosing a software engineering career, applying opinions to circumstances, and the impact of software engineering on the world.

Takeaways

Engineering is a creative and artistic field that allows for the creation of solutions and the impact on users.
Personal background and upbringing can shape problem-solving approaches in engineering.
Balancing individual approaches and aligning on outcomes is crucial for effective teamwork in engineering.
Personal relationships and emotions should be considered, but the focus should be on the problem and desired outcome. As a manager, it is important to approach conflicts with the goal of amicably solving the problem and moving things forward.
Remote work requires intentional communication and over-communication to compensate for the lack of social cues and body language.
Choosing a software engineering career can be a shortcut to making a visible impact in the world, but it requires a lifelong commitment to learning and dealing with frustrations.
Opinions and learnings should be applied to specific circumstances rather than taken as absolute truths.
Software engineering has the potential to make a significant impact on the world and offers opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:37 Living on a Sailboat and Engineering

03:25 Favorite Food and Cultural Differences

05:29 Engineering as Art and Creativity

09:42 The Influence of Upbringing on Engineering

11:14 Differences in Approaching Engineering Problems

16:36 The Role of Personal Background in Engineering

19:22 Balancing Individual Approaches in Engineering

25:14 Navigating Differences in Engineering Approaches

28:59 The Importance of Alignment on Outcomes

31:45 Balancing Personal Relationships and Engineering Decisions

36:43 Prioritizing the Problem and Outcome

40:12 Making Tough Decisions as a Manager

40:40 Managing Differences as a Manager

49:16 Challenges of Remote Work

59:13 Choosing a Software Engineering Career

01:01:07 Applying Opinions to Circumstances

01:03:21 Software Engineering as a Career

Summary

Discussion on Disagreements and Problem Solving Approaches:

Krish elaborates on the value of disagreements and diverse perspectives in problem-solving.
Serkan shares his perspective on managing disagreements and aligning on goals.

Professional and Personal Relationships in the Workplace:

Krish and Serkan discuss the importance of professional relationships and empathy in the workplace.
Serkan emphasizes the role of managers in navigating relationships and focusing on outcomes.

Approaching Decisions and Differences in Opinions:

Krish discusses the challenges of navigating strong opinions and differing approaches.
Serkan reflects on personal growth and shifting focus from personal feelings to outcomes.

Managerial Perspective vs. Individual Perspective:

Krish poses a question about approaching problems from managerial and individual perspectives.
Serkan provides insights into managing conflicts and decision-making from both perspectives.

Cultural Shift and Problem-Solving in Teams:

Serkan discusses the cultural shift in workplaces and the importance of hiring and team dynamics.
Emphasis on removing personal biases and focusing on problem-solving.

Acknowledgment of Human Emotions and Growth:

Serkan acknowledges human emotions and reflects on personal growth and learning from mistakes.
Emphasis on self-awareness and humility in professional interactions.