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I'm an introvert, and I've done a lot of pair programming. I've done a lot of solo programming, too. The InfoQ essay makes a fundamental mistake: Being an intr

I'm an introvert, and I've done a lot of pair programming. I've done a lot of solo programming, too. The InfoQ essay makes a fundamental mistake: Being an introvert isn't the same as needing to work alone. Introverts gain energy from focusing on the "internal world" of thoughts and ideas. Extroverts gain energy from focusing on the "external world" of socializing and interactions. So, as an introvert, I can do just fine as a public speaker, consultant, and yes, pair programmer and Agile team member, because those activities are focused on thoughts and ideas. (I don't do so well at parties or conference ice-breakers, and that's fine.) The other error I see in the InfoQ essay is that it conflates "Agile" with "decision by committee." It's true that Agile teams work in, well, teams, but that's not the same as everybody being involved in every decision. Team members on a high-functioning team know who on the team is best at what, and they automatically delegate everyday decisions to the people most qualified to make those decisions. It does take a while for a team to reach this level of capability, and the early stages of team growth can be uncomfortable and difficult, often with too many meetings, but that doesn't mean that "Agile" == "decision by committee." It just means that smooth-running work takes time and practice. No surprise there.

mrweasel 15y ago
I was going to point out something similar. I know people who are extroverts, but are completely incapable of working in an open office. The few people I know, how claim that an open office plan helps still needs headphones and music in order to close out the noise. Personally I "just" need complete silence, but that's not related to being introvert or extrovert. Semi-related: I'm starting to be a bit ticked of about the whole introvert/extrovert. Some forums, HN, include seems to be celebrating the whole introvert thing, like it's somehow "better". Much in the same way as some thinks that NoSQL is just better than RDBMS, regardless of the application. People are just different, but we're still struggling to deal with it, businesses even more so. I have no idea if I'm an introvert or not, nor do I care to know, I'm just me.
- dwc 15y ago
  Celebrating introversion is a reaction to the cultural notion that extroversion is the ideal. It's unfortunate that you (and presumably others) get getting the impression that it's being put forward as better. I don't think the likes of Susan Cain are saying that. Let's recognize instead that not everyone is the same, and that a Procrustean approach is stifling and counterproductive. I'm sure that there are some people who want the pendulum to swing their way. That can serve a purpose of raising awareness, but should never come at the expense of stifling extroverts.
jdlshore 15y ago
Another misconception I'm seeing in this thread is that Agile == open floorplan. Actually, Agile people recommend that each team have its own dedicated workspace with good noise insulation. Within the space, there should be a combination of shared space for group work and pairing, a room with a door for private/distracting conversations, and personal space for individualism. See Alistair Cockburn's "Convection Currents of Information" for the theory (in his book "Agile Software Development") or my own "Sit Together" for the how-to (in my book "Art of Agile Development" and online at http://jamesshore.com/Agile-Book/sit_together.html http://jamesshore.com/Agile-Book/sit_together.html ).

mrweasel 15y ago

I was going to point out something similar. I know people who are extroverts, but are completely incapable of working in an open office. The few people I know, how claim that an open office plan helps still needs headphones and music in order to close out the noise. Personally I "just" need complete silence, but that's not related to being introvert or extrovert. Semi-related: I'm starting to be a bit ticked of about the whole introvert/extrovert. Some forums, HN, include seems to be celebrating the whole introvert thing, like it's somehow "better". Much in the same way as some thinks that NoSQL is just better than RDBMS, regardless of the application. People are just different, but we're still struggling to deal with it, businesses even more so. I have no idea if I'm an introvert or not, nor do I care to know, I'm just me.

dwc 15y ago
Celebrating introversion is a reaction to the cultural notion that extroversion is the ideal. It's unfortunate that you (and presumably others) get getting the impression that it's being put forward as better. I don't think the likes of Susan Cain are saying that. Let's recognize instead that not everyone is the same, and that a Procrustean approach is stifling and counterproductive. I'm sure that there are some people who want the pendulum to swing their way. That can serve a purpose of raising awareness, but should never come at the expense of stifling extroverts.

jdlshore 15y ago

Another misconception I'm seeing in this thread is that Agile == open floorplan. Actually, Agile people recommend that each team have its own dedicated workspace with good noise insulation. Within the space, there should be a combination of shared space for group work and pairing, a room with a door for private/distracting conversations, and personal space for individualism. See Alistair Cockburn's "Convection Currents of Information" for the theory (in his book "Agile Software Development") or my own "Sit Together" for the how-to (in my book "Art of Agile Development" and online at http://jamesshore.com/Agile-Book/sit_together.html http://jamesshore.com/Agile-Book/sit_together.html ).