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posted by martyb on Monday December 04 2017, @05:18PM   Printer-friendly
from the it's-easier-to-deal-with-computers-than-with-people dept.

The Do's and Don't's of Managing Programmers:

Why are some programmers such jerks?

Too many managers believe the problem lies with [the disgruntled programmer]. If he was a better employee, dedicated worker, or at least cared more, then this wouldn't happen. Right?

Unfortunately, no.

The first suggestions matter a lot
How you handle ideas from new programmers sends an important signal. Good or bad, it sets the stage for what they expect. This determines if they share more ideas in the future... or keep their mouth shut.

Sure, some ideas might not be feasible in your environment. Some might get put on the back burner to be discussed "when we're not busy". Some ideas seem great, but they run against unspoken cultural norms.

No matter what the reason, dismissing or devaluing your programmer's ideas — especially in the first few months — is a bad move.

Damaged by all the naysaying, he'll try a few more times to present his ideas differently, aiming for a successful outcome. If he continues to feel punished, though, he'll realize that the only way to win is not to play.

Which is exactly what you don't want your programmers learning.

He will stop presenting ideas, asking to meet customers, and genuinely trying to understand the business.

Ultimately, it's a lose lose.

If you want programmers to become mere code monkeys, treat them like code monkeys.


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  • (Score: 5, Funny) by Thexalon on Monday December 04 2017, @07:54PM (4 children)

    by Thexalon (636) on Monday December 04 2017, @07:54PM (#605241)

    I've managed programmers before. How to manage programmers falls basically into 3 steps:

    And, obviously, write your list, and then count, rather than the other way around.

    --
    The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
    Starting Score:    1  point
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    Total Score:   5  
  • (Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Monday December 04 2017, @08:18PM (1 child)

    by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Monday December 04 2017, @08:18PM (#605252)

    I am not a programmer, but maybe you've just defined 3 as a variable?

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @09:57PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @09:57PM (#605330)

      Should have used \LaTeX and let the computer worry about numbering.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @11:34PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @11:34PM (#605396)

    First you were awesome and now you're awesome multiplied by 2!

  • (Score: 2) by sjames on Tuesday December 05 2017, @03:54AM

    by sjames (2882) on Tuesday December 05 2017, @03:54AM (#605494) Journal

    We may have to make you sit in the comfey chair now.