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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: 2) by FakeBeldin on Monday December 04 2017, @10:47PM (4 children)

    by FakeBeldin (3360) on Monday December 04 2017, @10:47PM (#605372) Journal

    I am already an accomplished programmer [...] and there are no jobs for me anywhere.

    Baloney.
    A programmer I know has retained the services of a recruiter to hunt him a suitable boss. He's getting mildly annoyed with his current position, so he wants something better. And he'll get it - probably rather soon at that.

    Either your idea of "job" doesn't match the job market, or your definition of "anywhere" is too limited.

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @11:26PM (3 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @11:26PM (#605393)

    So you say you know someone who retained exactly one recruiter and you claim there are jobs available.

    You are a moron.

    Recruiters call me every day. They match my experience and my skills against what employers say they want and nobody ever hires me. I have applied to thousands upon thousands of open job postings. The jobs do not exist.

    Employers are liars. They post fake jobs. They hire no one. And they trick gullible fools like you into believing there are jobs to be filled.

    You know nothing of the job market. It is as simple as that.

    • (Score: 2) by Mykl on Tuesday December 05 2017, @12:38AM

      by Mykl (1112) on Tuesday December 05 2017, @12:38AM (#605425)

      The jobs are there.

      If you are getting that many rejections, I would suggest:

      1. Reviewing your CV. Time to re-format it. One-pagers are pretty popular these days. Don't bullet-point all of the responsibilities of each role. Describe the problem faced, how you contributed to the solution and what the outcome was
      2. If you are making it to interview, it may be time to review your interviewing style. Perhaps run a few mock interviews with non-technical people that you know

      You are right though - there is more money in proprietary software. It's all very well for RMS to be a zealot about it - he's already rich.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 05 2017, @03:16AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 05 2017, @03:16AM (#605487)

      Perhaps they see the "MikeeUSA" email address on your CV and immediately throw it in the trash.

    • (Score: 2, Informative) by Muad'Dave on Tuesday December 05 2017, @01:28PM

      by Muad'Dave (1413) on Tuesday December 05 2017, @01:28PM (#605608)

      I have applied to thousands upon thousands of open job postings.

      Clearly someone is hiring - they're just not hiring you. Perhaps you should seek out assistance with your resume and/or interviewing style.