For the last couple of years, I have been extremely privileged to have the chance to work full time with some of the smartest persons I have ever had the chance to meet. I just want to share with the world who they are, and what they have taught me.
Chris Hedgate:
I have worked with Chris on and off for the last seven years. I have learned from him all along, and I still do. Chris has changed so much during these years that it is not even funny. He has gone from a kick-ass SQL dev with a little C# expertise, to exceptional object oriented developer, to an inspiring coach and great facilitator. And he can still code… One of the things I like about Chris is that he is always open to new ideas and projects. I am absolutely certain Chris will reach great heights in this industry, and I will be to be the one in the background saying “I knew him back when…”
Marcus Widerberg:
We (Marcus and I) did our first agile coaching assignment together almost five years ago. We noticed early that our interactions were not always smooth, but I learned from each and every one of them. Of the three, Marcus has helped me most to find new communication tools. He has a way of pointing at exactly what I say or do that might offend people, and he is not afraid of saying it. Marcus has also shown me that preparation is not only a bad thing. When he prepares and facilitates a meeting, I know that the meeting will be successful. I see Marcus presenting his papers in OOPSLA in a near future. I want a signed copy!
Joakim Karlsson:
I met Joakim through his design of a system I was hired to work on. He took parental leave, and I stepped in to implement his design (I know, it sounds crazy in my today-agile-ears). When he came back we worked side-by-side for some time, and I remember doing “guerrilla agile” with him – installing CruiseControl.NET on my laptop. Joakim has taught me a lot about how to work as a consultant – even though I have ten years experience in it, and he just started… I like watching him work with our clients, and in his relaxed, laid back manner steer them gently to better code and greater understanding of the system we work in. I try to copy him, but it’s hard…
When we joined forces with Joakim a year ago, I knew that he was a good developer, but I didn’t expect to find a great new friend in him.
Blueplane didn’t work out, but I had a good time, and I learned so much it would be crazy to regret any part of this experience.