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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: 2) by Thexalon on Tuesday December 05 2017, @10:49PM
Hey now, I wouldn't go that far! Just because I wanted to accomplish useful things didn't mean the company did. However, and this was important for me to notice, if you just quietly went ahead and did the useful thing without being directed to, and the result was that your work was going more smoothly and quickly, nobody was going to complain too successfully. If someone did try to complain, I could say something along the lines of "Yes, on my own initiative I implemented some of the best practices I've learned over my career, and as a result my department is 25% more efficient, allowing the company to complete projects more easily and thus better support the rest of the organization. And all that cost us was 1 sysadmin spending 4 otherwise spare hours. If you don't want me to take such steps in the future, please let me know."
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.