How to diplomatically give 'Code Complete' to another team in my office?

Question

There is another team in my office which I think would greatly benefit from reading "Code Complete". I have an extra copy of the book, and would like to give it to them in the hope that they will read it and follow some of its sage advice. How do I do this diplomatically?

Answer 1

You might just tell them directly that it's a great book, you learned a lot from it, and offer it to them if they'd like to read it. Be sincere, be honest, and leave the "your code sucks so you need to read this" attitude behind. Hopefully they're professionals and will look into it.

Answer 2

Our team actually has a decent library of technology books.

It wouldn't be profound of you to simply suggest the idea of a library for the other team and, as a helpful gesture, give them a copy of CC to jumpstart the collection.

Answer 3

Hand it to them, say you were gifted a second copy and don't have the heart to tell the person who gave it to you that you already had a copy. Then say it's a great book and you think they should enjoy it.

Answer 4

Write a story about someone reading Code Complete and having their life changed for the better on a 3x5 index card, and leave it on their desk.

Answer 5

When you say that you think the team would "greatly benefit", I infer that they have good attitude about code, just not enough knowledge. That what you want addressed in their work is ignorance rather than apathy.

For such a team, it should be no problem at all to say, "I've learned a lot of great stuff from this book, and I've got an extra copy. Would you like it?"

But the fact that you're asking the question somewhat contradicts my inference; it suggests that you fear the team would be unlikely to welcome the advice. If that's right - if it's apathy or notinventedhereism or hostility that you're trying to overcome - well, then, you've got your work cut out for you. Try pairing with them and find occasion to look stuff up in the book (even if you remember it) as you do so. Try to get them to ask for the book.