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In your first paragraph you’re asking for more respect: > Software Engineering Middle Management is a toxin or a cancer. In your second it seems that you don’

In your first paragraph you’re asking for more respect: > Software Engineering Middle Management is a toxin or a cancer. In your second it seems that you don’t respect those lower on the ladder: > Programmers are like cats and their opinions are more important and refined than anyone else's. As a leader it’s important to distill good ideas from bad and be able to bring those lower on the ladder along. Give them the respect they deserve and you’ll get it in return.

stronglikedan 8y ago
> their opinions are more important and refined than anyone else's I inferred that they do respect the programmers - more than anyone else even.
agentultra 8y ago
>> Programmers are like cats and their opinions are more important and refined than anyone else's. And I don't think it's sustainable to work in an environment where your every mistake or bad day will make you seem like a dipshit to your team. > In your second it seems that you don’t respect those lower on the ladder: That's a good point. I didn't intend any disrespect. Speaking as a programmer I was making a self-deprecating generalization. Not everyone has had the same experience as I have and I can see how that has weakened my comment. I think I could have made my writing stronger if I had avoided the generalization and went straight to the point instead. Thanks for pointing that out. > As a leader it’s important to distill good ideas from bad In a way I believe you're right. > be able to bring those lower on the ladder along However I don't think it's our job to deem which ideas are good. If we believe the source of goodness stems from our own personal experience and opinions then we may favor a team that merely agrees with us. A good leader, in my opinion, must embody some of the qualities in TFA to make those determinations: being focused on the customer, the business, and their team. They need to look to the current context of all of these things and find the good ideas. They often come from unexpected places. > Give them the respect they deserve and you’ll get it in return. I believe this is a universal truth: give people respect, ownership, and accountability. It's important!

stronglikedan 8y ago

> their opinions are more important and refined than anyone else's I inferred that they do respect the programmers - more than anyone else even.

agentultra 8y ago

>> Programmers are like cats and their opinions are more important and refined than anyone else's. And I don't think it's sustainable to work in an environment where your every mistake or bad day will make you seem like a dipshit to your team. > In your second it seems that you don’t respect those lower on the ladder: That's a good point. I didn't intend any disrespect. Speaking as a programmer I was making a self-deprecating generalization. Not everyone has had the same experience as I have and I can see how that has weakened my comment. I think I could have made my writing stronger if I had avoided the generalization and went straight to the point instead. Thanks for pointing that out. > As a leader it’s important to distill good ideas from bad In a way I believe you're right. > be able to bring those lower on the ladder along However I don't think it's our job to deem which ideas are good. If we believe the source of goodness stems from our own personal experience and opinions then we may favor a team that merely agrees with us. A good leader, in my opinion, must embody some of the qualities in TFA to make those determinations: being focused on the customer, the business, and their team. They need to look to the current context of all of these things and find the good ideas. They often come from unexpected places. > Give them the respect they deserve and you’ll get it in return. I believe this is a universal truth: give people respect, ownership, and accountability. It's important!