I know it’s clickbait, but I really did want to reinforce the simplicity of this post. I think building a DevOps culture can sometimes be daunting for most folks from traditional IT backgrounds because, well, people aren’t systems. You see, both developers and system engineers are comfortable with technology; it’s usually predictable, and it’s relatively easy to manipulate.
People (and processes) are messy. The social aspect of a sociotechnical environment is full of friction: different backgrounds, different perspectives, differences of opinion. It all creates a challenge for solving business problems quickly because it takes energy to build and maintain a relationship. However, once those relationships are established, the benefits multiply. When you are challenged by a peer you trust to defend an idea, it makes the idea better. The old adage of “iron sharpens iron” is true; smart people make smart people smarter.
But how do you build trust? The first step is easy.
Be thankful.
That’s it; acknowledge when people take a risk, and thank them for stepping of their comfort zone. Be thankful when they offer an opinion that’s different than yours, even if you don’t take the advice. Specifically acknowledge their contributions that make your job easier, and let them know why. It takes some time (and occasionally some effort), but it establishes a pattern of trust. This is particularly important when you’re in a leadership position, and they are not; the best ideas come from people who feel like they can contribute on a regular basis, especially to people in power.
Take the extra time to say “Thank You”, and establish a foundation of trust.
