How does the left and right brain differ in decision-making? In this week’s show, Aaron Longwell, a Software Manager at Amazon Web Services, dives deep into this idea. He joins Etienne de Bruin to talk about the importance of context in decision-making, communication, and how pushing management decisions down in an organization can lead to problems.

Some ideas you’ll hear them explore are:

• Throughout history, humans have favored the left-brain model of thinking. "We pay less attention to context and … to emotions, pay less attention to the body and more to the brain," Aaron says. Alternatively, the right side of the brain is more creative.
• Good communication is a major factor in solving challenges. Code is communication, so being able to communicate effectively will allow you to code more effectively. 
• Getting communication right from the start saves you time. Don't assume that you're being understood, verify that you are. Ask questions that can let you know that the other person is understanding what you are saying and that you're both on the same page. 
• The mentality of reusing what you can is flawed. The idea that because someone already built in some component of the communication in the software, so it doesn't need to be reworked opens you up for a lot of third-party dependencies and increases complexity.
• Pushing management decisions lower down in an organization creates redundant decision making.
• Complexity is a prerequisite to being robust.

Resources

Aaron Longwell | LinkedIn 

Thinking, Fast and Slow

The Master and His Emissary