Two things that works from my experience: lead by example and automate the basics. When even high-level engineers (senior, staff) submit their code for review, it sets the tone that nobody is “too experienced” for feedback. This normalizes peer review for everyone. Invite mid-level engineers to do the same, showing that reviews are part of the shared culture, rather than a task reserved only for junior members. Use automated tools (e.g., linters, formatters, or static analysis) so that style-based corrections come from machines instead of teammates. Run it on every pull request or in a CI pipeline. This way, any style or format disagreement is decided automatically, leaving human reviewers free to focus on design and logic.

Create clear guidelines: • Define reasonable response timeframes (e.g., 24-48 hours) • Establish size limits for reviews (max 400 LOC) • Use checklists to standardize the process Make reviews collaborative: • Schedule regular pair review sessions • Rotate reviewers to share knowledge • Celebrate constructive feedback that improves code quality Build psychological safety: • Frame reviews as learning opportunities • Focus feedback on the code, not the person • Acknowledge good practices alongside suggestions

Code reviews are a time to learn and see how your peers view problems and solutions differently than you. Often times I’ve spent hours writing a solution and when I post my code for review a fellow engineer will suggest a cleaner or more efficient approach that I never thought of. Everyone has different experience and viewpoints and code reviews are an excellent way to leverage that. A couple ways I have found to successfully encourage participation are 1. Have a central place for code reviews to be posted 2. Have a simple way to notify your intended review audience that your code is ready to review. i.e a tag or a distribution list, etc. 3. Simply reaching out to an engineer 1:1 and asking for review has a high success rate.

Foster a Positive Culture – Emphasize that code reviews are for learning and improvement, not criticism. Lead by Example – Actively participate in reviews and provide constructive feedback. Simplify the Process – Use tools like checklists and automated linters to make reviews easier. Set Expectations – Define clear guidelines and best practices for reviewing code. Recognize Contributions – Appreciate and reward team members who participate actively. Provide Training – Conduct workshops on effective code reviews and constructive feedback.

Encouraging code review participation is about fostering a supportive culture: Make it about learning – Reviews should help everyone grow, not feel judged. Pair up for reviews – Walking through code together makes it more engaging. Recognize great feedback – A quick shoutout motivates others to participate. Create a safe space – Focus on improving code, not criticizing the coder. Keep reviews efficient – Short, focused feedback keeps things productive. Automate the basics – Let tools handle minor issues so reviews focus on logic. Keeping reviews positive and efficient makes them a habit the team values.