3 ms·
>ADHD is probably the problem under this behaviour. Whether this is the case quickly becomes apparent by working closely in tandem with the person, e.g. pair p
by MontyCarloHall 4y ago
>ADHD is probably the problem under this behaviour.
Whether this is the case quickly becomes apparent by working closely in tandem with the person, e.g. pair programming. It will be obvious within the first few minutes whether the person simply cannot hold a train of thought for as long as the problem requires. As you write, there are concrete ways of addressing this.
On the other hand, it is also obvious when the lack of productivity stems not from a lack of focus but simply not having a mind suited to the job. I’ve seen people focus intently for hours to complete a task that would take most others on the team a few minutes, and not for lack of knowledge or training; their brain simply worked at a much slower speed. There is nothing that can be done to rectify this. These are thus the hardest people to empathetically fire, since you’re basically letting them go for not being smart enough for the job, despite being an extremely diligent worker.
- TexanFeller 4y agoPairing is actually one of my most helpful strategies for keeping myself on task with boring tasks. People probably notice my ADHD much less when pairing with me. One reason remote work has destroyed my productivity is that pairing just can't happen in the same way.
- rdubz 4y agointeresting, I've had a much easier time pairing (and felt benefits like you describe) over Zoom. Pairing by actually having 2 people at a desk never felt very comfortable, but screen-sharing with each person on their own monitor etc. works great, IME. I'm curious what you've tried / why it hasn't worked...
- trilobyte 4y agoBack in the day, about 15 years ago now, when I was pair-programming every day and trying to teach new people how to do it, everyone was awkward at first. People who were Vim experts suddenly started stumbling over basic tasks. All of them who persisted eventually got over the awkwardness. Not all of them enjoyed the pair programming, but the ones who I talked to later found that it wasn't as awkward after a bit.
- MontyCarloHall 4y agoI totally agree. I have some minor attention deficit issues, but working closely with others really lights a fire under my ass and I experience zero distractions. I also agree that there's something distinct about working when someone is directly watching you, versus working without direct observation (e.g. over Zoom). Perhaps this is why I'm far more productive working remotely from coffeeshops than I am from home.
- edabobojr 4y agoI've always been afraid of pairing. I don't know how well others would appreciate my periods of daydreaming followed by periods of hyper-fixated focus.
- danaris 4y ago> I’ve seen people focus intently for hours to complete a task that would most take others on the team a few minutes, and not for lack of knowledge or training; their brain simply worked at a much slower speed. You do have to be somewhat careful about this. While there are people who do genuinely have the problem you describe without mitigating factors, I have seen people who superficially fit this description to a T—but whose rate of errors is far below those who appear to do the same work faster. Sometimes, "slower thinking" is much more effective at getting the job done right than a fast-thinking "cowboy" approach.
- danarisissubhum 4y ago[dead]