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Missing from this study is the fact that we tend to project confidence, intelligence and wisdom on those that we like. A staffers perception of the competence

Missing from this study is the fact that we tend to project confidence, intelligence and wisdom on those that we like. A staffers perception of the competence of their boss may mostly be a function of how much they like their boss. Also - staffers may have no ability to judge the competence of a boss. Example: boss is highly technical, nice, gives you good feedback, stays 'out of your hair' - and 'let's you do your job'. Problem: you're all way behind schedule, and he's afraid to be unpopular by steering you and the team in the right direction. From a management perspective, he's failing, and causing the whole company to fail.

ZenoArrow 10y ago
>"staffers may have no ability to judge the competence of a boss" They often do. The biggest indicator is one you touched on... 'let's you do your job'. A good manager sets clear but fair expectations, and then works to shield you from roadblocks so you can get the job done as promptly as possible. In my experience it's easy to see this in action.
- edblarney 10y ago
  I agree that a worker can often reasonably evaluate their boss. But unless you've been a director level person - with 'managers of people' working for you, it's easy to see how a 'well liked boss, who lets's their workers do their jobs' is often not the best manager. Team staffers may think their job is to do ABC, but really it's XYZ. A dev may think it's his job to write 'quality software'. But the business objective may call for 'a quick iteration for demonstrative purposes'. The staffer thinks he's 'doing his job', his boss lets him, but the business objectives are totally off.
  - ZenoArrow 10y ago
    >"But the business objective may call for 'a quick iteration for demonstrative purposes'." Most developers I've worked with are smart enough to know quick hacks are fine in small doses, but if they become the norm you end up with a great deal of technical debt, which can ultimately cripple the productivity of a company. From the perspective of managers who aren't familiar with technical debt, the 'quick win' is always going to seem like the best option. It's up to the development team to strike a balance between 'the quick way' and 'the right way', and whilst some managers may get frustrated on the occasions when 'the right way' wins out, in the mid to long term they benefit too, though they may not understand why.

ZenoArrow 10y ago

>"staffers may have no ability to judge the competence of a boss" They often do. The biggest indicator is one you touched on... 'let's you do your job'. A good manager sets clear but fair expectations, and then works to shield you from roadblocks so you can get the job done as promptly as possible. In my experience it's easy to see this in action.

edblarney 10y ago
I agree that a worker can often reasonably evaluate their boss. But unless you've been a director level person - with 'managers of people' working for you, it's easy to see how a 'well liked boss, who lets's their workers do their jobs' is often not the best manager. Team staffers may think their job is to do ABC, but really it's XYZ. A dev may think it's his job to write 'quality software'. But the business objective may call for 'a quick iteration for demonstrative purposes'. The staffer thinks he's 'doing his job', his boss lets him, but the business objectives are totally off.
- ZenoArrow 10y ago
  >"But the business objective may call for 'a quick iteration for demonstrative purposes'." Most developers I've worked with are smart enough to know quick hacks are fine in small doses, but if they become the norm you end up with a great deal of technical debt, which can ultimately cripple the productivity of a company. From the perspective of managers who aren't familiar with technical debt, the 'quick win' is always going to seem like the best option. It's up to the development team to strike a balance between 'the quick way' and 'the right way', and whilst some managers may get frustrated on the occasions when 'the right way' wins out, in the mid to long term they benefit too, though they may not understand why.