Team Transformation Tactics for Holistic Testing and Quality (ElevateDev 2024)

Talk given at ElevateDev 2024

Abstract:

Have you ever observed quality problems with what your team is delivering? Have you ever felt your team is learning about the actual status quo late, too late to include these insights in your next steps? Have you ever wondered how to influence change when you’re “just” a specialist on the team, maybe even felt powerless?

I’ve mostly worked with people who never experienced effective collaboration across roles and specialties. How to get such a team to move toward testing throughout the delivery workflow from idea to production, on all kinds of levels, for all parts of the product, by the whole team? How to consider quality from the start and have it continuously inform our decision-making?

Over the years, I’ve built a repertoire of tactics to help teams transform toward holistic testing and quality. They range from meeting people where they are to creating guidelines, pairing and many others. It’s a toolbox of approaches to try out and find the sweet spot where people start moving toward better directions together. These tactics are fallible, not all of them work in all contexts, and yet they have helped my teams get to a better place.

Join this talk to get inspired to take things into your hands. Learn what you can try yourself in your context to help your team make the first steps on your journey towards holistic testing and quality.

Key learnings:
- Learn how you can influence team culture, no matter your role or experience level
- Add team transformation tactics to your toolbox of approaches to try
- Understand the many ways we can move towards holistic testing and quality

1. TEAM TRANSFORMATION TACTICS
FOR HOLISTIC TESTING AND QUALITY
LISI HOCKE
@[email protected]

2. DISCLAIMER
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3. DISCLAIMER
Based on my experience
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4. DISCLAIMER
Based on my experience
Inspired by countless people
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5. DISCLAIMER
Based on my experience
Snapshot in time
Inspired by countless people
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6. DISCLAIMER
Based on my experience
Snapshot in time
Tactics are fallible
Inspired by countless people
@[email protected]

7. DISCLAIMER
Based on my experience
Snapshot in time
Tactics are fallible
Tactics for winning as team
Inspired by countless people
@[email protected]

8. DISCLAIMER
Based on my experience
Snapshot in time
Tactics are fallible
Tactics for winning as team
Teams transformed themselves
Inspired by countless people
@[email protected]

9. AGENDA
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step
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10. AGENDA
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step
@[email protected]

11. AGENDA
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step
@[email protected]

12. AGENDA
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step
@[email protected]

13. AGENDA
Holistic Testing and Quality
The Team’s Starting Point
A Toolbox of Tactics
The Next Step
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14. HOLISTIC TESTING
AND QUALITY
WHY EVEN
BOTHER?
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15. HOLISTIC?
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16. HOLISTIC?
All the time
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17. HOLISTIC?
All the time
Everywhere
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18. HOLISTIC?
All the time
Everywhere
Everything
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19. HOLISTIC?
All the time
Everywhere
By everyone
Everything
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20. MY EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON MY TEAMS
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21. MY EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON MY TEAMS
Product development teams
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22. MY EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON MY TEAMS
Product development teams
Cross-functional
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23. MY EXPERIENCE IS BASED ON MY TEAMS
Product development teams
Cross-functional
Embedded hands-on
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24. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
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25. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
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26. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
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27. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
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28. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
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29. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
@[email protected]

30. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Lack of safety & trust
@[email protected]

31. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame
Lack of safety & trust
@[email protected]

32. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame
Inaction
Lack of safety & trust
@[email protected]

33. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame
Inaction
Lack of safety & trust
Lack of transparency
@[email protected]

34. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame
Inaction
Lack of safety & trust
Gatekeeping
Lack of transparency
@[email protected]

35. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame
Inaction
Knowledge silos
Lack of safety & trust
Gatekeeping
Lack of transparency
@[email protected]

36. A MYRIAD OF TEAM PROBLEMS
Poor delivery
Limited communication
Expert role thinking
Lots of handovers
Poor system understanding
Quick to blame
Inaction
Knowledge silos… and many more
Lack of safety & trust
Gatekeeping
Lack of transparency
@[email protected]

37. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
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38. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
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39. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
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40. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
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41. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
@[email protected]

42. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
@[email protected]

43. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
@[email protected]

44. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
@[email protected]

45. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
@[email protected]

46. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
System understanding
@[email protected]

47. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
System understanding
Better relationships
@[email protected]

48. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
System understanding
Better quality outcome
Better relationships
@[email protected]

49. BENEFITS OF MAKING THINGS A TEAM THING
Inclusion and access
Shared knowledge & skills
Resilience
Flow for faster delivery
Team accountability
Empathy & appreciation
Increased support
Willingness to experiment
System understanding
Better quality outcome
Better relationships
Stronger team
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50. THE TEAM’S STARTING POINT
KNOW WHAT
YOU CAN EXPECT
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51. A NOTE ON POWER & INFLUENCE
Power bases
(French & Raven)
https://bit.ly/power-bases
Impact over
intention
https://bit.ly/impact-over-intention
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52. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
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53. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Changes takes time
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54. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Changes takes time
Sowing seeds is worth it
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55. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Changes takes time
Sowing seeds is worth it
Don’t run too fast for people to follow
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56. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Changes takes time
Sowing seeds is worth it
Don’t run too fast for people to follow
It might not be the right time yet
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57. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Changes takes time
Sowing seeds is worth it
Don’t run too fast for people to follow
It might not be the right time yet
Setbacks are a given
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58. OBSERVE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A TACTIC
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59. OBSERVE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A TACTIC
Context matters
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60. OBSERVE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A TACTIC
Context matters
Look for pain points, needs, concerns, fears, wishes
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61. PICK YOUR BATTLES
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62. PICK YOUR BATTLES
Focus with impact in mind
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63. PICK YOUR BATTLES
Focus with impact in mind
Preserve your energy
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64. DARE TO TRY, AND TRY AGAIN
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65. DARE TO TRY, AND TRY AGAIN
We can only change ourselves
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66. DARE TO TRY, AND TRY AGAIN
We can only change ourselves
Take courage and take action
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67. A TOOLBOX OF TACTICS
CHOICE
SELECTION
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68. WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
1.People first
2.Meet people where they are
3.Show, don’t tell
4.Make sharing the default
5.Build on existing energies
6.Optimize for flow
7.A bit better every day
8.Change the narrative
9.Build resilience in
10.Work through conflict
11.Make space for everyone
12.Optimism goes a long way
(Here’s room for more)
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69. PEOPLE FIRST 1
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70. PEOPLE FIRST
Show curiosity to foster relationships
1
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71. PEOPLE FIRST
Show curiosity to foster relationships
Appreciate what’s working well
1
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72. PEOPLE FIRST
Show curiosity to foster relationships
Appreciate what’s working well
Contribute hands-on to build trust
1
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73. PEOPLE FIRST
Show curiosity to foster relationships
Appreciate what’s working well
Contribute hands-on to build trust
Help and ask for help
1
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74. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE 2
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75. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
Don’t assume, learn
2
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76. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
Don’t assume, learn
Speak their language
2
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77. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
Don’t assume, learn
Speak their language
Work where they work
2
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78. MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
Don’t assume, learn
Speak their language
Work where they work
Accept they can only
go at their own pace
2
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79. SHOW, DON’T TELL 3
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80. SHOW, DON’T TELL
Let people experience it
3
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81. SHOW, DON’T TELL
Let people experience it
Encourage to experiment
3
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82. SHOW, DON’T TELL – EXERCISE
Team up with the person sitting next to you, groups of three are fine as well.
We will stay in these groups for the following exercises.
1.Think of an app that 1) you like, 2) you have currently installed on your
phone, and 3) that’s safe to show someone else (e.g. a game).
2.One of you: open this app on your phone, then let the other person
experience the app to gain an understanding of its benefits.
3.Think together of your work context: how can you let people experience an
approach or tool you benefit from? Take note.
3
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83. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT 4
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84. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
Share access
4
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85. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
Share access
Share knowledge
4
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86. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
Share access
Share knowledge
Share load, including glue work
4
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87. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
Share access
Share knowledge
Share load, including glue work
Share pain
4
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88. MAKE SHARING THE DEFAULT
Share access
Share knowledge
Share load, including glue work
Share pain
4
Share credit
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89. BUILD ON EXISTING ENERGIES 5
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90. BUILD ON EXISTING ENERGIES
Shape the system
5
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91. BUILD ON EXISTING ENERGIES
Piggyback on existing practices
Shape the system
5
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92. BUILD ON EXISTING ENERGIES
Piggyback on existing practices
Shape the system
Build on intrinsic motivation
5
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93. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW 6
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94. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW
Discover faster ways to collaborate
6
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95. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW
Discover faster ways to collaborate
Stop starting, start finishing
6
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96. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW
Discover faster ways to collaborate
Stop starting, start finishing
Slow down to go fast
6
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97. OPTIMIZE FOR FLOW – EXERCISE 6
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Think of your delivery flow from idea to production.
•What slows it down, where do you wait or experience friction?
•What would speed up feedback and learning?
Share your thoughts with the person next to you.
Take note of 1 idea to try next.

98. A BIT BETTER EVERY DAY 7
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99. A BIT BETTER EVERY DAY
Be okay with good enough
7
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100. A BIT BETTER EVERY DAY
Be okay with good enough
Take tiny steps
7
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101. CHANGE THE NARRATIVE 8
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102. CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
Reframe the situation
8
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103. CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
Reframe the situation
Tell it into existence
8
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104. BUILD RESILIENCE IN 9
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105. BUILD RESILIENCE IN
Focus on enabling
9
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106. BUILD RESILIENCE IN
Focus on enabling
Refrain from solo work
9
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107. BUILD RESILIENCE IN
Focus on enabling
Refrain from solo work
Go away to test it out
9
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108. BUILD RESILIENCE IN – EXERCISE 9
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Think together:
•What do you do that no one else in your team does or knows how to do?
•What do others in your team do that no one else does or know how to do?
•What could you try the very next working day to start breaking up this silo?
Take note of the next thing to try.

109. WORK THROUGH CONFLICT 10
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110. WORK THROUGH CONFLICT
Put the fish on the table before it rots
10
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111. WORK THROUGH CONFLICT
Put the fish on the table before it rots
Don’t assume, ask
10
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112. MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE 11
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113. MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE
Cater to people’s needs
11
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114. MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE
Cater to people’s needs
11
Hear all voices
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115. MAKE SPACE FOR EVERYONE
Cater to people’s needs
Opt for joint decisions that get lived
11
Hear all voices
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116. OPTIMISM GOES A LONG WAY 12
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117. OPTIMISM GOES A LONG WAY
Radiate confidence we can figure this out together
12
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118. OPTIMISM GOES A LONG WAY
Radiate confidence we can figure this out together
Celebrate all the things
12
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119. OPTIMISM GOES A LONG WAY – EXERCISE 12
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Share a recent win with the person next to you to practice celebrating!
Any small thing counts that…
•went better than expected,
•positively surprised you,
•or is now better than yesterday.
Take note to celebrate this with someone else at work!

120. MY TOOLBOX OF TACTICS
1.People first
2.Meet people where they are
3.Show, don’t tell
4.Make sharing the default
5.Build on existing energies
6.Optimize for flow
7.A bit better every day
8.Change the narrative
9.Build resilience in
10.Work through conflict
11.Make space for everyone
12.Optimism goes a long way
(Here’s room for more)
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121. SO WHAT ABOUT TESTING AND QUALITY?
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122. SO WHAT ABOUT TESTING AND QUALITY?
Team culture is the foundation for everything
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123. THE NEXT STEPOVER TO YOU
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124. GET STARTED WITH A FIRST STEP
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125. BUILD YOUR OWN TOOLBOX AS YOU GO
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126. WE’RE NOT ALONE ON THIS JOURNEY
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127. THANK YOU!www.lisihocke.com
Together we can move the world, step by step
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128. THANK YOU!www.lisihocke.com
Together we can move the world, step by step
iconfinder.com/icons/4737440 | iconfinder.com/icons/392502
iconfinder.com/icons/9111294 | iconfinder.com/icons/6622970 @[email protected]