I didn't start out in the tech world, but I've made a good career of it. Being female in a predominantly male profession (especially when I started) was hard enough, but being blonde didn't help. So that's why my domain name (www.GeekWhileBlonde.com) confronts both issues immediately and with humor. Now we can move on to the serious discussion.

The pace of software delivery continues to accelerate. Behind all those innovations are hard-working people who spend their days engrossed in computer code, in reports, in documentation, and in meetings, working out the details and nailing down the releases. In some companies, the pace is measured and deliberate, and in others, frantic and disorganized. What has become a growing concern for me is the wear and tear on those workers, many of whom have little or no experience in standing up for their immediate needs or their long-term goals.

Read more ...