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I follow an imaginary and totally-not-backed-by-science model whereby I view managers as a force multiplier on their teams. The number can be anything between 0

I follow an imaginary and totally-not-backed-by-science model whereby I view managers as a force multiplier on their teams. The number can be anything between 0 and 10. In this model, a PHB[1] hovers between 0.2 and 0.8 (it depends on how well the team can ignore him/her), whereas the average manager hovers somewhere between 0.8 and 1.2; their effect on their teams is neutral, give or take. Good managers are between 1 and 3 -- they can double or triple their team's output -- whereas excellent managers are 3 and up. Such managers also tend to possess very strong leadership skills. [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointy-haired_Boss https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointy-haired_Boss

bambax 10y ago
Very instructive. Using your system, as a manager, if you're not above 1 you should work hard to never ever go below 1. That's the point Spolsky is making, I think. It's a fair point and rooted in a lot of evidence, but somewhat limited, because as you say, there can be great managers whose experience and insight multiply their potential.
avn2109 10y ago
This is a cool model. Though in principle it seems like the multiplier is unbounded on the top end, even if in practice we rarely find it > 10.
- brokenmachine 10y ago
  In practice, I've rarely found it over 1.2. And only at 1.2 for short periods of time until the higher-ups are able to reign such out-of-control efficiency in.
JamesBarney 10y ago
What types of things can a good manager do that increases an output by triple? That seems incredibly high to me. The little bit of research that's been done looking at how managers increase employee output have found the vast majority of force multiplication comes from training.
- enraged_camel 10y ago
  Using political capital to shield the team from political BS, remove obstacles and have more resources allocated to the team can make a big difference.

bambax 10y ago

Very instructive. Using your system, as a manager, if you're not above 1 you should work hard to never ever go below 1. That's the point Spolsky is making, I think. It's a fair point and rooted in a lot of evidence, but somewhat limited, because as you say, there can be great managers whose experience and insight multiply their potential.

avn2109 10y ago

This is a cool model. Though in principle it seems like the multiplier is unbounded on the top end, even if in practice we rarely find it > 10.

brokenmachine 10y ago
In practice, I've rarely found it over 1.2. And only at 1.2 for short periods of time until the higher-ups are able to reign such out-of-control efficiency in.

JamesBarney 10y ago

What types of things can a good manager do that increases an output by triple? That seems incredibly high to me. The little bit of research that's been done looking at how managers increase employee output have found the vast majority of force multiplication comes from training.

enraged_camel 10y ago
Using political capital to shield the team from political BS, remove obstacles and have more resources allocated to the team can make a big difference.