We were customer-focused. Some engineers took the position that we should do what the customer wants, and the safety concerns were not our responsibility. Some took the position that we should do what the customer wants, but put a warning in the manual. The most junior engineer took the position that implementing the feature was irresponsible, and we should tell the customer why we couldn't implement the feature. In the end, that's what we did, and the customer accepted our answer. They weren't ogres who wanted to cut their workers’ hands off. They probably hadn't thought about the likelihood of that happening. As usual, standing up for what you believe in pays benefits. I slept better knowing that I stood up for what I believed in. I paid no price for my actions, but even if I had, I'd still be happier than if I had caved. You have to act on what you believe in. People will respect you for it. Even if they don't, you will respect you for it. Thinking this way is a big part of what a profession means. Every profession has a role in society, and some responsibilities regarding that role. For example, doctors treat the sick, including the infectious. For this we reward them with a handsome living. Doctors who take all the goodies but refuse to treat people with scary diseases are usually regarded with scorn, and well they should be. It's unprofessional.		Compared to doctors, you have it pretty easy. You do have professional responsibility. But unless you go out of your way looking for it, you won't risk your safety to discharge your professional responsibility. Rarely, your principles might lead you to quit a job, but getting another job is pretty easy. It's unlikely you'll ever be fired for a principled stand; what you do is too rare a talent. The likely scenario is, you'll feel compelled to stand up for what you believe in, risking ridicule, or possibly some money. You gain something more important, of course, a firmer idea of what you believe. You need that to grow as a professional. More importantly, you need that to find out who you are. So finally we make it back to the big questions, which are always in front of us. Who am I? Why am I here? Software has a dreamy, game-like quality. Sometimes, this obscures those big questions, then suddenly snaps them back into focus. The only defense is to live your life as if it is important, which it is. Your friends and family are most important, but your work life is important too. What I have said today is pointed at making your work life a meaningful part of your life. Work should never be your whole life, but still something that contributes more than money to your sense of yourself. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. Best of luck in what lies ahead. first page     pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6