Hi there! I’m Lina. I'm an extremely passionate adventurer who has lived and worked in 4 different countries: originally Lithuanian, then lived/worked in Sweden, Hungary, and most recently Germany. I am currently working as an Independent Quality Consultant. Previously I worked at Doodle as a Head of Quality, and ThoughtWorks as a QA Consultant. I see the Quality Analyst role as an empathetic leader, someone who is a compassionate team glue full of positivity collaborating with various roles. For this, the environment I aim to work in are open-minded transparent cross-functional teams. You can find me on Twitter as @buggylina, and my writings live on my website: https://qualitybits.tech. I also host a podcast "Quality Bits" on building high-quality products and teams, check it out: https://qualitybits.buzzsprout.com I deeply care about inclusion & diversity. Diversity drives innovation, but we have to make sure that our work places are inclusive as well. Being a rare woman in software engineering, I have faced my share of challenges, and doubts about tech. I feel we still have a lot of improvements to make tech a better place. I would love to mentor anyone who needs either help in modern quality analysis in software development, working as a non-male in tech or finding their career path.
My Mentoring Topics
- Quality analysis in software engineering
- Empathetic leadership & compassionate clear communication
- Organisational Change
- Public speaking, writing blogs
- Consulting
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Women in tech
- Personal development
E.
2.April 2021I had a great conversation with Lina, it was extremely helpful! Her professional path impressed me a lot and gave me peace of inspiration! Also, I received a lot of resources - links, books, valuable pieces of advice I would love to be in touch with Lina in the future :) Next time I will be very happy to talk about a specific topic in terms of professional skills or soft skills as well. Or I will be great to practice communication and presentation skills.
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition
Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
Key Facts and Insights: The ability to handle crucial conversations productively is a fundamental skill for personal and professional success. Crucial conversations are those where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. The book introduces a seven-step model for effective communication during crucial conversations. The aim is not to win an argument, but to arrive at a mutually beneficial outcome. The authors emphasize the importance of creating a safe environment for dialogue. The book provides techniques to manage emotions and stay focused on the desired result. It encourages honest and respectful conversation, even when the discourse is challenging. The book teaches how to influence others without resorting to power plays or manipulation. The authors' methodology is backed up by years of social science research. The techniques can be applied across different contexts, such as work, family, or social situations. The book is filled with practical examples and exercises to help the reader practice and internalize the concepts. An In-Depth Analysis: The central premise of "Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High" is that the ability to navigate crucial conversations is a key determinant of success in various realms of life. The authors, Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler, define crucial conversations as those where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. These are the conversations that often determine the course of our relationships, careers, and lives. Drawing on years of social science research, the authors present a seven-step model for effective communication during these critical interactions. This model is not about winning an argument, but about arriving at a mutually beneficial outcome. It's about fostering understanding, respect, and cooperation, even when dealing with difficult or contentious issues. Creating a safe environment for dialogue is a key principle highlighted in the book. This entails showing respect for the other person's viewpoint, even if you disagree with it. It also involves maintaining an open mind and being willing to modify your perspective based on new information. A safe environment encourages honest exchange of ideas and minimizes defensive or aggressive behavior. The authors also provide strategies for managing our emotions during these conversations. They emphasize the importance of staying focused on the desired result, rather than getting sidetracked by personal attacks or irrelevant issues. This requires self-awareness, self-control, and mental agility. The book offers a wealth of practical techniques for influencing others without resorting to power plays or manipulation. These techniques hinge on the idea that influence is more about listening and understanding than about talking and persuading. They underscore the value of empathy and patience in building relationships and resolving conflicts. The principles and techniques presented in the book can be applied across different contexts, such as work, family, or social situations. They are universally relevant because they tap into the basic human needs for respect, understanding, and fairness. The book is filled with practical examples and exercises that help the reader practice and internalize the concepts. These hands-on elements enhance the book's value as a self-improvement tool. They allow the reader to see the concepts in action and to apply them in their own lives. In conclusion, "Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High" is a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of effective communication in high-stakes situations. It is a treasure trove of insights, strategies, and practical tools that can help anyone improve their communication skills and achieve better outcomes in their personal and professional relationships. Important Concepts: Crucial Conversations: High-stakes discussions where opinions differ and emotions are strong. Safe Environment: A communication setting where individuals feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement or retaliation. Seven-Step Model: A structured approach to navigating crucial conversations effectively, fostering understanding, and arriving at mutually beneficial outcomes. Emotional Management: Techniques to stay focused, calm, and composed during challenging conversations. Influence without Manipulation: Ways to affect others' thoughts and behaviors through empathy, understanding, and respect, rather than through force or deceit.
ViewRadical Candor - How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean
Kim Scott
Key Insights from the Book: The importance of Radical Candor - a management philosophy that encourages open, honest, and direct communication. The two dimensions of Radical Candor: Care Personally and Challenge Directly. How to avoid the pitfalls of Obnoxious Aggression, Manipulative Insincerity, and Ruinous Empathy. The importance of giving and receiving feedback effectively. How to encourage a culture of open communication in the workplace. Practical strategies to implement Radical Candor in real-life situations. The role of empathy and understanding in fostering Radical Candor. How Radical Candor helps in building strong relationships at work. The significance of emotional intelligence in implementing Radical Candor. The benefits of Radical Candor for personal growth and professional development. An In-Depth Analysis of "Radical Candor" Author Kim Scott's "Radical Candor" is an insightful exploration of a management philosophy that encourages open, honest, and direct communication. Scott, a veteran of Google and Apple, has distilled years of leadership experience into this philosophy, which she believes can revolutionize the way we lead and work. The core principle of Radical Candor revolves around two dimensions: Care Personally and Challenge Directly. As a leader, it is pivotal to demonstrate that you genuinely care about your team members as individuals. However, it's equally important to challenge them directly and offer constructive criticism to help them grow. The book warns against the pitfalls of three ineffective communication styles: Obnoxious Aggression, Manipulative Insincerity, and Ruinous Empathy. Obnoxious Aggression is characterized by direct feedback that lacks empathy. Manipulative Insincerity is when feedback is neither caring nor direct, often resulting in dishonesty and deceit. Ruinous Empathy, perhaps the most common pitfall, happens when leaders care about their employees but are unwilling to provide direct feedback for fear of upsetting them. Scott emphasizes the importance of giving and receiving feedback effectively. Feedback should be immediate, face-to-face, and must offer a clear path for improvement. Moreover, it should be a two-way street - leaders should also be open to receiving feedback from their teams. The book offers practical strategies to implement Radical Candor in real-life situations. These strategies are crafted to help leaders adopt Radical Candor without falling into the traps of the ineffective communication styles mentioned earlier. It also underscores the role of empathy and understanding in fostering Radical Candor, highlighting the significance of emotional intelligence in implementing this philosophy. Scott asserts that Radical Candor can help in building strong relationships at work. By fostering open communication, it can create a positive work environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and motivated. Furthermore, Radical Candor can lead to personal growth and professional development. It encourages individuals to be more self-aware, fosters continuous learning, and promotes a growth mindset. In conclusion, "Radical Candor" presents a compelling case for a management approach that prioritizes open, honest, and direct communication. By incorporating Radical Candor into our leadership styles, we can foster a more positive, productive, and rewarding work environment.
ViewAccelerate - The Science of Lean Software and DevOps: Building and Scaling High Performing Technology Organizations
Nicole Forsgren PhD, Jez Humble, Gene Kim
Key Facts or Insights from the book Lean Software Development and DevOps practices have a direct impact on IT performance and organizational performance. Building quality into products is more efficient than inspecting at the end of production. High-performing organizations decisively outperform their lower-performing peers. They have more frequent code deployments, faster lead time from commit to deploy, faster time to recover from downtime, and lower change failure rate. The right culture is a critical aspect of IT performance. The book introduces the concept of a generative culture, which emphasizes learning and continuous improvement. Automation is a key factor in improving both deployment frequency and lead time for changes. Continuous delivery and lean management practices drive higher IT and organizational performance. Measurement and monitoring are crucial for improving performance. The book introduces four key metrics that matter for DevOps: lead time, deployment frequency, mean time to restore (MTTR), and change fail percentage. Transformational leadership is essential for achieving high performance in technology organizations. DevOps is not just for startups or tech companies - it can generate significant value in large, complex organizations. High performers make use of loosely coupled architectures and teams, enabling them to make changes more effectively and efficiently. Investing in DevOps capabilities can deliver powerful competitive advantage. Summary and Analysis The book, co-authored by Nicole Forsgren PhD, Jez Humble, and Gene Kim, is an invaluable resource for understanding the principles and practices that drive high performance in technology organizations. It presents a rigorous, data-driven argument for why DevOps and Lean principles matter, backed by four years of research and data from more than 2000 data points. Lean Software Development and DevOps are presented as vital methodologies for any organization that seeks to improve its performance and competitiveness through software. The authors argue that software development should not be seen as a cost center but as a strategic capability that can provide a competitive advantage. One of the key insights from the book is the importance of building quality into products rather than inspecting at the end of production. This is a core principle of Lean Manufacturing, applied here to software development. The authors argue that this approach reduces waste, speeds up delivery, and leads to better products. The book makes a compelling case that high-performing organizations significantly outperform their lower-performing peers, with more frequent code deployments, faster lead times, lower change failure rates, and quicker recovery from downtime. These performance advantages translate to organizational benefits, such as increased profitability, market share, and customer satisfaction. A central theme is the role of culture in IT performance. The authors introduce the concept of a generative culture, which values learning and continuous improvement. Such cultures foster innovation, collaboration, and high performance. Automation is another key factor in improving performance. The authors demonstrate how automation in testing, deployment, and other areas can improve deployment frequency and lead time for changes. The book emphasizes the importance of continuous delivery and lean management practices. Continuous delivery enables organizations to get changes of all types into production safely and quickly in a sustainable way. Lean management practices, such as visual management and a culture of continuous improvement, contribute to higher IT and organizational performance. Measurement and monitoring are identified as crucial for improving performance. The authors propose four key metrics that matter for DevOps: lead time, deployment frequency, mean time to restore (MTTR), and change fail percentage. By focusing on these four metrics, organizations can drive improvements in their DevOps practices. The book stresses the importance of transformational leadership in achieving high performance in technology organizations. Leaders must inspire and motivate their teams, promote a clear vision, intellectually stimulate their followers, and provide supportive leadership. Finally, the authors dispel the myth that DevOps is only for startups or tech companies. They argue that DevOps can generate significant value in large, complex organizations. They also point out the benefits of loosely coupled architectures and teams, which enable organizations to make changes more effectively and efficiently. In conclusion, the book provides a comprehensive and evidence-based guide to the principles and practices that drive high performance in technology organizations. It makes a compelling case that investing in DevOps capabilities can deliver powerful competitive advantage. The book's insights and recommendations align well with my own experience and observations as a professor dealing with these topics. I believe it is an essential read for anyone involved in software development or IT operations.
ViewExplore It! - Reduce Risk and Increase Confidence with Exploratory Testing
Elisabeth Hendrickson
Key Insights from "Explore It!" Exploratory Testing: The book introduces the concept of exploratory testing, a process of simultaneous learning, test design, and test execution. Importance of Context: The testing process, as per the book, must be context-sensitive, and testers must adapt their strategies accordingly. Heuristics and Oracles: The book talks about these two important concepts extensively. Heuristics are rules of thumb that guide our testing, while oracles are principles or mechanisms by which we recognize a problem. Charter Creation: The book emphasizes the importance of developing a charter prior to exploratory testing, which includes the goal, the scope, and the duration of the test. Test Analysis: Hendrickson emphasizes the significance of in-depth analysis of test results, which aids in making informed decisions. Model-Based Approach: Hendrickson discusses the model-based approach to exploratory testing, which involves creating models of the system under test. Risk-Based Approach: The book introduces the risk-based approach, which focuses on identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks in order to reduce the possibility of failure. Test Heuristics: The book provides a comprehensive insight into the use of test heuristics, which are quick methods to determine something, not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect, but good enough to provoke thought. Communication and Collaboration: The book emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration within the testing team and with other stakeholders. Continuous Learning: The author stresses the need for continuous learning and improvement in the field of testing. An In-Depth Analysis of "Explore It!" "Explore It! - Reduce Risk and Increase Confidence with Exploratory Testing" by Elisabeth Hendrickson is a comprehensive guide that offers a fresh perspective on the art and science of testing. The book begins with a profound introduction to exploratory testing, a dynamic and essential testing approach. In contrast to script-based testing, which is linear and often detached from the realities of the software environment, exploratory testing is inherently responsive, allowing testers to adapt their strategies based on the context. This insight aligns with my experience in the field, where I've seen the value of a flexible and context-sensitive approach to software testing. A significant concept that the book introduces is the use of heuristics and oracles. Heuristics, simple rules that guide our testing efforts, and oracles, principles by which we recognize problems, form the foundation of effective exploratory testing. The book provides practical examples and approaches to apply these concepts, making it a useful tool for testers. The author emphasizes the importance of charter creation before initiating exploratory testing. This strategy provides a clear goal, scope, and duration for the test, allowing testers to work efficiently and focus their efforts effectively. Hendrickson also discusses the importance of in-depth test analysis. The ability to make sense of test results, identify patterns, and make informed decisions based on this analysis is a skill that the book helps to cultivate. This perspective resonates with the data-driven approach in today's software development environment. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to a model-based approach to exploratory testing. The author suggests creating models of the system under test to understand its complexities and interactions better. This approach can help testers identify potential problem areas and focus their testing efforts accordingly. The book also introduces a risk-based approach to testing. It emphasizes identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks to reduce the possibility of system failure. This approach aligns with the risk management principles that have become critical in software development and testing. Hendrickson provides a comprehensive insight into the use of test heuristics, which can serve as a quick method to determine something. While they may not be optimal or perfect, they are good enough to provoke thought and guide the testing process. The author emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration within the testing team and with other stakeholders. In my experience, this is a critical factor in the success of any testing endeavor. Finally, the book stresses the need for continuous learning and improvement in the field of testing. The rapidly evolving software landscape necessitates that testers keep updating their skills and knowledge. In conclusion, "Explore It!" offers a comprehensive and practical guide to exploratory testing. It provides insights, strategies, and techniques that can help testers reduce risk and increase confidence in their software testing efforts. As someone who has been engaged with these topics for many years, I found the book to be a valuable resource.
ViewHow to Be an Inclusive Leader - Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive
Jennifer Brown
Key Facts and Insights: The importance of being an inclusive leader in today's diverse work environment. Understanding unconscious bias and its impact on decision-making and inclusivity. The role of empathy and active listening in creating an inclusive environment. The significance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in inclusive leadership. The value of diversity and the necessity of equity in the workplace. The four stages of the Inclusive Leader Continuum: unaware, aware, active, and advocate. The practical steps and strategies to become an inclusive leader. Acknowledging the need for continuous learning and growth in the journey towards inclusive leadership. How to handle microaggressions and promote a culture of respect. The importance of allyship and the role of leaders in creating a culture of belonging. An In-depth Analysis: In today's increasingly diverse work environment, the need for inclusive leadership cannot be overstated. Jennifer Brown's book provides a comprehensive guide on how to become an inclusive leader and foster a culture of belonging in the workplace. She emphasizes that inclusive leadership goes beyond simply acknowledging diversity; it involves actively promoting an environment where everyone feels valued and can thrive. A key concept that Brown discusses is unconscious bias. These are the automatic, often unintentional, stereotypes that affect our understanding and decision-making. By becoming aware of our unconscious biases, we can work towards mitigating their impact and promoting inclusivity. This ties in with the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in inclusive leadership. Leaders need to understand their own emotions and biases, as well as those of their team members, in order to foster a truly inclusive environment. The author also highlights the significance of empathy and active listening. By putting ourselves in others' shoes and genuinely listening to their experiences and perspectives, we can create a more inclusive culture. This is particularly important in handling microaggressions, subtle acts of discrimination that can create a hostile environment. Leaders need to be equipped to address these issues and promote a culture of respect. In her book, Brown introduces the Inclusive Leader Continuum, which comprises four stages: unaware, aware, active, and advocate. This continuum provides a roadmap for leaders to become more inclusive, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and growth. Moving from being unaware of the importance of inclusivity, to becoming aware of its significance, actively promoting it, and finally advocating for it, is a journey that all leaders should undertake. One of the most significant concepts discussed in the book is the value of diversity and the necessity of equity in the workplace. Diversity brings a variety of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to more innovative solutions. However, diversity alone is not enough; there needs to be equity, where everyone has fair access to opportunities and resources. This is where the role of inclusive leaders becomes crucial. Lastly, the book discusses the importance of allyship. Leaders have a responsibility to stand up for marginalized groups and create a culture of belonging. This involves understanding and acknowledging the unique experiences of different groups, and using their position of power to advocate for change. In conclusion, "How to Be an Inclusive Leader" provides a practical and comprehensive guide for leaders aiming to create a more inclusive work environment. By understanding and implementing the concepts discussed in the book, leaders can foster a culture where everyone feels valued and can thrive. As an experienced professor, I can attest to the validity and importance of these concepts in creating inclusive and successful organizations. The journey towards inclusive leadership is a continuous one, but with commitment and effort, it is certainly achievable.
View
I.
20.April 2023Lina is an emphatic listener, coach and I can very well imagine a very inspiring leader for any team. I've been thinking about creating my own podcast for so long. Not only that she gave me steps by steps how to produce it, but also it felt like I needed that "just get your hands dirty" kind of push from someone who has done that for a while. I thank Lina for sharing her stories, knowledge and support that I finally stop overthinking what, when, how to do it. She is my expander.