Weekly Highlight
This week I bought an iPad! I’ve never owned a tablet, so why buy one now? I watched this video from Ali Abdaal:
More specifically this quote:
The reason I swear by Apple products and I’m unlikely to change to anything else anytime soon is because when you have more of them they work so beautifully together in an ecosystem that makes a lot of sense. And these various ways in which these products work together genuinely do help me be more productive. It helps me save time. And that means I can spend more time doing the things that really matter to me.
Me being a major productivity nerd, that was exactly what I needed to hear to go buy an iPad Air. Also, I haven’t made a big purchase in a while, so I had some cash to burn.
I’ve been using the iPad for a few days now and here are my reactions so far:
Geez, this is so expensive. How can a pen cost that much?
It is kinda neat to have a tablet in places where I don’t really want to bring my computer e.g. the sofa.
Woah, split screening to read and write is so much more convenient than
Now I can have two screens through sidecar which will make presentations from home easier (sharing one screen and having notes on the other).
Seriously, how can a pen cost that much?
To summarize, I’m satisfied, and I kinda get the ecosystem, but still not sure if the price tag is worth it. Well, I’ll just see it as a half-year present to myself. Pampering is needed sometimes. Another way I’m rationalizing the purpose is that I should test different platforms so I know how to design for them.
Weekly Notes
Making of a Manager (Book)
Feedback is an integral skill for a manager because it removes two common barriers: unclear expectations and inadequate skills
Great managers identify people's strengths and capitalize on them. It is more effective to improve people's strengths and star performers than to improve weaknesses and get failing performers to an acceptable level. (Do try fixing the weaknesses but do it quickly.)
You have a good relationship with your report if 1) they frequently talk about their biggest challenges 2) you can both give critical feedback without feelings hurt 3) they would work for you again
7 Practical Ways to Reduce Bias in Your Hiring Process (Article)
The words in job listings influence which people apply. Masculine language like "competitive" and "determined" make women less likely to apply. Feminine language like "collaborative" and "cooperative" make men less likely to apply. Avoid them or aim for an even split.
Work sample tests that are similar to the work they will have to do is the best indicators for future work performance
Ideally, interviewers shouldn't know about the results from the CV and work sample so that the interview can act as an independent data point