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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.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @05:36PM (6 children)
It's all very well to suggest that you should totally take a programmer's suggestions on board.
Or a marketer, or a sales rep, or a janitor.
Ultimately, you simply can't implement them all, and you simply can't pander to everyone's ego.
If someone is going to become toxic and negative if you don't pander to their ego, that's great. You find someone who can handle it and get rid of the toxic one.
Programmers are in a special position in that their chosen technology allows them to build their things at home with minimal cost. If they want their ego stroked, they can stroke it themselves, on their own time.
If you want to employ people who will make your product new and shiny and awesome and stuff, then hire your programmers into your design team - or at least have design interludes or something.
You can always tell what companies want by how they act. If they say that they want 24/7 coverage, but they don't hire a 24/7 team, you know that they're lying - and likely exploitative about it. If they say that they want innovation but don't actually reward innovation, or try doing it, you know that they're lying. If they say that they want to delight customers, but they spend their time finding new ways of milking them for revenue while limiting all actions to the terms of the contract as narrowly interpreted ... yeah, you know where this is going.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @07:04PM (3 children)
Code is King.
If your ideas really are that good, then the most persuasive thing you can do is write some code that does the talking for you.
I mean, just look at this website; it's crap.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @07:20PM (2 children)
On an "agile" team where every breath or arm movement must have a documented story or task aassociated, this is impossible. If you create a proof of concept to illustrate your point without it being pulled into the current sprint, you've broken the rules and will be punished appropriately. If your idea is dismissed out of hand, you won't be given permission to created the proof of concept.
No working under the radar, all activity is held to account at the daily standup.
(Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @07:31PM (1 child)
Do the work you're told to do, but if you have conviction, then you'll do your own work, too.
What?! Are you implying I should work outside of paid hours?!
That's the kind of question a codemonkey would ask.
(Score: 0, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday December 04 2017, @07:39PM
Obligatory code monkey song:
https://youtu.be/kWrjYdD0Tg0 [youtu.be]
(Score: 2) by crafoo on Tuesday December 05 2017, @12:31AM
Insightful comment. Watch what the company does and what policies it enforces most regularly. What kind of relationships does it form with suppliers and customers. Who/which disciplines spend most face-time with customers. What tactics do they use to gain new business and keep existing business. Watch everything. Do not listen to a word they say. What they say is an indication of how they want to be perceived, not what they are.
People are pretty much the same.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 05 2017, @11:37AM
Code is King.
If your ideas really are that good, then the most persuasive thing you can do is write some code that does the talking for you.
I mean, just look at this website; it's crap.