The importance of well-being in the engineering industry
Gregor Ojstersek
CTO | Author of Engineering Leadership newsletter (65k+ subscribers) - Helping you become a great engineering leader!
Intro
As engineers, it’s a privilege to do what we do. We build great things. Our job is much more creative than we think. We are creative problem-solvers.
But our jobs can also get stressful. Deadlines, the pressure to deliver with the right quality and the never-ending process of learning new things. We also spend a lot of our time sitting behind a desk, which can take a toll on our health and overall well-being.
I have reached out to Richard Donovan, a Software Developer with over 22 years of experience, a mindset coach and also a personal trainer. He provided insightful advice to help with wellbeing in our great industry that we all love and enjoy being in.
Before we get into insights lets start with some downsides I had throughout my career.
As much as we love our industry, it also has some downsides
I’ll share with you some of the issues I have been dealing with as an engineer and an engineering leader throughout my career.
- Perfecting my solutions to an extent
I could particularly see this as an issue when I was building something visual. I was not satisfied with the result. This color should be like this, this font should be like that, etc.
And then this also transferred to code as well. I was trying too hard to make things “perfect”, and I was hurting my progression toward getting things done.
Right now, I still find myself sometimes trying to “perfect”, but I remember how important progress is and I try to quickly readjust my mindset. I also have a quote on one of my shirts to remind myself: “Progress over Perfection”.
- Not making decisions fast enough
Continued....
You can find the full Article here: Engineering Leadership newsletter: The importance of well-being in the engineering industry
Leadership Behaviour Hacking™ For Leaders and Teams In The Tech Space | Psychologist | Leadership Coach
9moI'm so happy that Richard helped you increase your self-awareness, Gregor Ojstersek. Getting an outside perspective makes a lot of difference, right? I especially liked when you mention that sometimes what is needed is "simply being kinder to ourselves". I can confirm that the challenges you mentioned in your article are common in the IT industry. You are not alone, and it is crucial to discuss them to create awareness and promote professional growth alongside mental and physical well-being.
I help managers get results and keep their people | Engineering Manager at Schwarz IT
9moNice collab, Gregor & Richard!
Engineering Manager | Leadership Trainer | Helping Innovators Achieve Success | Keynote Speaker | Certified Leadership Coach | Team Facilitator (20+ years Software Engineer/ 10+ years Leader) | ☕ addict
9moI love it when I can integrate my wellness into my work day, like their is a gym at the office or on the way home, having a walkkng break at lunch, etc.
Engineering Leader | Senior Full-Stack Engineer | CTO @Jumping Minds
9moI agree! Prioritizing well-being isn't just a personal endeavor; it's integral for team cohesion and productivity. In industries like engineering, where challenges are relentless, a collective focus on well-being can transform work culture, boosting both morale and outcomes.
Regional Sales Manager | +14y Material Handling Industry | Industrial Technical Sales | Fmr Director of Engineering | Seeking Opp w/ Leading Material Handling Solutions Provider (Robotics, Automation, Logistics, Storage)
9moThis is a very important topic that doesn't get enough attention, IMHO. Your health is your wealth, because it impacts every area of your life - personally and professional. Great topic Gregor!