poornima

Explain complex ideas simply, earn trust, and move people to act:
ex-Apple · @mint founding eng · mom of 3

[poornima @poornima]

1/ Seven years ago I paused Femgineer to join Apple as a software engineer.

I spent those years embedded in hardware orgs — Watch, Mac, iPhone — and eventually moved into engineering program management.

Here's the most important thing I learned 🧵

[poornima @poornima]

@mininatechsec thank you for the RT! 😊

[poornima @poornima]

When two of my engineers were locked in a standoff, I did the hardest thing a leader can do: nothing.

I gave them a Friday deadline to work it out themselves. By Friday — problem solved, and they thanked me for not stepping in.

Stepping in too early robs people of the chance to grow.

More on communication in my weekly newsletter at https://t.co/Y3As9nwMkW

[poornima @poornima]

@vovudebosh Well you got me interested... I'll take it for a spin ;)

[poornima @poornima]

Most people think nervousness means "don't speak up."

It doesn't. It means your body cares about the moment. Grab water, take a breath, and go.

Nerves are natural. 🎥👇

[poornima @poornima]

@gamesophist Thank you for the RT!

[poornima @poornima]

One of the best technical communicators I ever knew never once said "you don't get it."

She assumed she hadn't landed it yet.

Clarity isn't intelligence. It's patience.

3 things my favorite engineering college professor did that I still use in every hard conversation 👇

[poornima @poornima]

Are we still doing #throwbackthursday? Well I'm bringing it back ;)

11 years ago I was filming "shorts" before they were a thing for my second book.

Here's one of the fan favorites: How to Present Your Work Without Sounding Self-Promotional
https://t.co/An0PoIC8Ra

[poornima @poornima]

10/ The next live cohort begins October 9, and enrollment closes September 25.

Get course details and three free preview lessons here 👉 https://t.co/rgRB0jNQIn

[poornima @poornima]

1/ Why do so many capable people hold back what they know?

When you’re new to a role—or haven’t been doing the work as long as the person across the table—it’s easy to sit on your expertise.

In 1:1s. In meetings. Even around the coffee machine. 🧵

[poornima @poornima]

9/ And that’s me in my high school debate room, sophomore year—where I found my first sparring partners. 😉

Proud to say I went on to place third at the Texas State Debate Tournament in 2000.

[poornima @poornima]

@cjc Great reminder and I especially love the line about trust compounding! As always love the editorial depth y'all provide at First Round 🙂 And cheers to early employees who build companies and grow themselves like @oatmealaday

[poornima @poornima]

11/ Most of us bury the ask under the story and lose the room before we get to it.

This week I wrote up the fix: how to lead with the bottom line, then reveal the details only as they're asked.

Full post → https://t.co/tmZRVP7vGd

[poornima @poornima]

1/ You didn't lose the room because your analysis was weak. You lost it because you led with all of it.

🧵How and when to reveal the technical details of a debug session and next steps #technicalcommunication

[poornima @poornima]

10/ The fix for over-explaining isn't to know less. It's to prep your Q&A and wait for the question.