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> Leadership comes with huge trade-offs, especially if you're a technically capable creative, which makes it something to put off as long as possible. You only

> Leadership comes with huge trade-offs, especially if you're a technically capable creative, which makes it something to put off as long as possible. You only assume a leadership role when you have to. I have noticed a combination of examples that confirm and reject this. Speaking for myself and some of the colleagues whom I consider good developers: none of us want to deal with the official responsibility that comes with being a leader so we don't want to step into that role. On the other hand our manager is an excellent developer and super sharp individual and he seems to have boundless energy for leader-type activities - the kind that just thinking about makes us feel weary. My (unsubstantiated) theory is that it comes down to a combination of culture+work ethic+ambition+grit: just putting one's head down and getting stuff done, irrespective of whether it is creative or enjoyable. Of course, our manager gets paid very very well so that, at least partially, makes up for the trouble.

javajosh 4y ago
Your comment got me thinking about training to be the captain of a large sea vessel. In that case there's certainly are many things you can learn to be an effective captain and manage a crew regardless of where you're going. I'm wondering if that doesn't apply to software startups as well. The kinds of behavioral lessons you have to learn to be an effective leader have always struck me as somehow dishonest and manipulative, but maybe that's not quite right. It is certainly more conscious behavior more goal-oriented behavior and that increases the risk of inauthenticity. But I can see how learning certain techniques and guidelines could help in general. I suppose at the end of the day I'd like to understand how you can read a manual like "How to win Friends and influence people" while still maintaining high standards of quality and integrity. Because it seems like most people read books like that and become spineless manipulative dishonest people. I've come to prefer the honest, harsh judgments of technologists to the constructed speech you often get from leaders. I would be thrilled to work with a leader who can somehow square that circle.

javajosh 4y ago

Your comment got me thinking about training to be the captain of a large sea vessel. In that case there's certainly are many things you can learn to be an effective captain and manage a crew regardless of where you're going. I'm wondering if that doesn't apply to software startups as well. The kinds of behavioral lessons you have to learn to be an effective leader have always struck me as somehow dishonest and manipulative, but maybe that's not quite right. It is certainly more conscious behavior more goal-oriented behavior and that increases the risk of inauthenticity. But I can see how learning certain techniques and guidelines could help in general. I suppose at the end of the day I'd like to understand how you can read a manual like "How to win Friends and influence people" while still maintaining high standards of quality and integrity. Because it seems like most people read books like that and become spineless manipulative dishonest people. I've come to prefer the honest, harsh judgments of technologists to the constructed speech you often get from leaders. I would be thrilled to work with a leader who can somehow square that circle.