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That's been my feeling about it, too. Headcount and control rather than actual productivity. Also, I feel like middle managers have a terrible incentive profile
by michaelochurch 14y ago
That's been my feeling about it, too. Headcount and control rather than actual productivity. Also, I feel like middle managers have a terrible incentive profile. If an underling really shines, then it reflects well on the underling. If one underperforms or makes a mess, boss gets shat on for not keeping them in line. It's easy to rip on middle managers, but they have a shitty job and it's not their fault. It's just structured badly.
I think it's easier to understand why middle managers are the way they are once one understands their incentive structure. They participate in an employee's downside but not upside (she did it herself) so of course they're going to be the way they are.
I may be radical but I think open allocation is the only answer for software development. All the nonsensical process that grows up around closed allocation seems archaic and stifling. I think typical middle management is useless. What you really need are HR-independent mentors. Aside from mentoring, the other thing managers can do (firing) should be so rare in a well-run company that you only need one per few hundred people.
- enupten 14y ago.. brought to you by her Majesty's Civil service. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister
- gingerlime 14y agoI recommend reading about the Gervais principle![1] [1]http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-or-the-office-according-to-the-office/ http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-o...
- dpritchett 14y agoWhen Michael read about the Gervais principle it inspired about 100,000 words of response: http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/?s=gervais&submit=Search http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/?s=gervais&submit=Se...
- gingerlime 14y agothanks for the link!
- michaelochurch 14y agoIf you have the time, you might want to check out my blog. I've covered that topic in exacting detail.
- gingerlime 14y agojust had a quick look and am as excited reading this as checking out more espisodes of 'the office'! (I only started watching the american version recently. Originally I dismissed it as just another copy-cat of the original UK, but I'm beginning to get into it). I didn't read any of it yet, but just the thought of having more to read about it makes my life already better :) EDIT: I just realised who I was "recommending" this too. Well, at least it was worth it for me :)