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These days, there is no excuse to have a non-technical manager (unless you are a technical manager yourself). Software is eating the world; it is professional

These days, there is no excuse to have a non-technical manager (unless you are a technical manager yourself). Software is eating the world; it is professional negligence to put someone in charge that doesn't have a detailed understanding of the technology that impacts everything about the modern workplace. It isn't like there is a shortage of technical managers right now. I've never had a non-technical manager, even when I worked in sales, and I've been doing this for over 20 years.

travisgriggs 5y ago
This must be industry variant then. 3 of my 4 jobs in the last 30 years have involved non-technical leadership. The exception was working for a "tools" company where software was the product. But the other 3 are at the "edge" where software enables real devices to be more modern/gadgety. In that context, software programmers are a necessary evil to en-smart-ify gadgets that have traditionally been "dumb." And letting software people be part of the direction is too much of a loss of traditional power.
- spaetzleesser 5y ago
  That’s why I recommend that young people should try to work for a company where the CEO comes from a tech background and understands your work. It’s just natural that someone has more respect for a role they have performed themselves.
  - travisgriggs 5y ago
    Why do you recommend this to young people specifically? Wouldn't it be sound advice regardless of the age of the recipient of this advice? Just curious why you've added that qualifier.
    - spaetzleesser 5y ago
      I guess i don’t give advice to people my age ;). getting into tech companies also seems easier when you are young and don’t have much of a resume. Having a resume with years in not interesting companies and uncool tech also seems to make you toxic.
tonyedgecombe 5y ago
Funnily enough some of my better managers have been non-technical. Some of the worst have been people who know enough to micro-manage you to death.
- Aperocky 5y ago
  tbf, micromanaging is bad regardless of any other attributes.

travisgriggs 5y ago

This must be industry variant then. 3 of my 4 jobs in the last 30 years have involved non-technical leadership. The exception was working for a "tools" company where software was the product. But the other 3 are at the "edge" where software enables real devices to be more modern/gadgety. In that context, software programmers are a necessary evil to en-smart-ify gadgets that have traditionally been "dumb." And letting software people be part of the direction is too much of a loss of traditional power.

spaetzleesser 5y ago
That’s why I recommend that young people should try to work for a company where the CEO comes from a tech background and understands your work. It’s just natural that someone has more respect for a role they have performed themselves.
- travisgriggs 5y ago
  Why do you recommend this to young people specifically? Wouldn't it be sound advice regardless of the age of the recipient of this advice? Just curious why you've added that qualifier.
  - spaetzleesser 5y ago
    I guess i don’t give advice to people my age ;). getting into tech companies also seems easier when you are young and don’t have much of a resume. Having a resume with years in not interesting companies and uncool tech also seems to make you toxic.

tonyedgecombe 5y ago

Funnily enough some of my better managers have been non-technical. Some of the worst have been people who know enough to micro-manage you to death.

Aperocky 5y ago
tbf, micromanaging is bad regardless of any other attributes.