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I agree... usually when a truly brilliant developer is causing more harm than good, it's because they aren't being effectively managed. That doesn't mean managi
by kurthr 10y ago
I agree... usually when a truly brilliant developer is causing more harm than good, it's because they aren't being effectively managed. That doesn't mean managing them is easy, but you want to pick and choose what problems you give them, who they work with, and how they work with customers. Of course, that's not my job :^)
- solipsism 10y agoUsually? The overlap in the Venn diagram between "Truly brilliant developer" and "giant baby who has no social skills" is probably non zero, but I work with many brilliant non-jerks. Perhaps you've been unlucky.
- threatofrain 10y agoAs opposed to intelligence and sociability, among other traits, may be independently varying? If one imagines that intelligence and sociability are merely two of many possible desirable traits, and that top firms with big budgets also see similarly, then eventually those with the highest concentration of desirable traits will be sniped up, leaving firms with lesser budgets to take those with fewer desirable traits of lesser magnitude. The same can be said about customers. Some customers could be described as "10x paying nice customers", vs "10x paying jerk customers", and these could be thought of as merely two of many possible independently varying traits. Eventually, one might suspect that discerning firms will try to keep the best clients, while pushing clients with fewer desirable traits of lesser magnitudes to lesser firms.
- gregtran 10y agoAnd the big win is that it's quite possible to go from "asshole" to "amicable." It's less likely someone goes from "mediocre" to "brilliant." A good manager can go a long way in coaching you professionally, but they can't raise your IQ.