267: Build Better Business Relationships And Welcome Feedback Gratefully with Doug Arcuri

<p>Phil’s guest on the show this time is Doug Arcuri, a Software Engineering Manager for IBM who has worked in the IT industry for 15 years.  His interest in computers began when his parents purchased a Gateway PC in 1998 which led to him developing a few successful game modifications for Half Life. Subsequently, Doug went on to learn engineering concepts, C++, website design and game modification tooling setting the foundation for his IT career.</p> <p> </p> <p>Doug and Phil talk about the importance of building effective business relationships over being entirely purpose-driven, and why people should be the foundations of any career.</p> <p> </p> <p>Doug also talks about why feedback should always be welcomed as a way of helping us grow and develop, instead of being seen as criticism.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS:</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>TOP CAREER TIP</strong></p> <p>Don’t be entirely purpose-driven. It’s important to focus on the business and upon delivery, but we must also pay consideration to building effective, empowering relationships.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>WORST CAREER MOMENT</strong></p> <p>After finding himself out of a job, Doug decided to not only hone his interviewing skills for the next opportunity, but to keep it going as a regular concern, meeting often ever since to further practice and develop the skills needed in order to keep sharp.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>CAREER HIGHLIGHT</strong></p> <p>As a leader, Doug has been responsible for not only hiring, but developing his team members. Using his three stage method of making sure the direction of the team is correct, mentoring others in the team and setting boundaries, and some project management, Doug has found great success is developing people.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T</strong></p> <p>Doug is particularly excited by The Developer’s Experience concept, which has many facets, and which shows that tools are opportunities for engineers to develop. Semantic Code Analysis, also, uses AI t