The Software Developer's Career Handbook

Chapter 12. The Leaper

On my short list of professional competitive differentiators, I would list my inbox strategy. I have a zero-tolerance policy for unread emails. Zero. Any email, however big or small, that lands in my inbox is instantly read. There is an industrial-strength set of mail filters that move mailing-list noise out of the way, and yes, that means I ignore a good portion of my incoming email, but most email addressed directly to me is consistently and expediently read.

There are other inbox strategies I employ to figure out when and how I respond, too, but I admit the combination of these strategies is not foolproof. I read emails and never respond, despite having good intentions to do so. I passive-aggressively ignore emails I just don’t want to answer, and sometimes I just forget to respond. I have a carefully constructed excuse when I’m called on these email transgressions. It’s a standard preface in all emails and phone conversations where there needs to be an acknowledgment of neglect and it’s...

“Sorry, I’ve been swamped...”

This isn’t a lie; it’s an excuse.

Now, there is a bit of pride in that I have a life where I’m scrambling. Yes, I’m proud that I’m busy. I’m a happy member of the Busy Club because I’ve been to the Boring Club meetings, and they’re boring.

But, in this moment when it inevitably happens, the pride vanishes in the guilt that there was neglect. I forgot to respond, I screwed up in some manner, and here I am with my standard disclaimer: “swamped.” ...