What Kind of PHB Do You Want?

the_radix asks: "I'm not a great coder, but I love computers and especially programming. Those professional programmers that I know often complain of their managers not understanding the coding process and having unrealistic expectations of programmers. As such, I am considering a new career path: management. Since middle management is all about balancing, I'm looking for pointers before I start looking for positions. What do you, as coders and programmers, want from your immediate manager? If there are any geeks out there in upper management, what do you want from your lower-level managers who keep the techs in line? I'm not asking for the basic 'stand-up-for-your-subordinates' advice, but rather requests from a coder's standpoint. Geeks have special needs, and accommodating those needs (and 'odd' behaviors) is a good idea all around, for both employee morale and department output." I think many of us would rather like one who listened or who would at least take advice from the technical staff to heart. Many times managers will not consult their coders when they make plans, they'll make the plans first and tell their coding staff later, and this causes all kinds of problems. Generally, a superior with less "pointy hair" is something we'd all appreciate, but I'm sure the rest of you can expand what I'm trying to say here, or even say it better than I can.

Comments

What I've had in the past...

[BranMan]

A manager that reads Slashdot!

litlle fish eaten by bigger fish...

[warmcat]

The sad truth is that the PHB has an even Pointier-headed boss and so on up until we reach the Splendid Majesty of Satan who Owns The Souls Of The Workers.

As a manager of geeks you will come under ugly, ugly pressure from the next layer of idiots forcing you to make choices against your inclination, your will, it will be like an old 1950s horror film where your right hand is moving without your volition while the Demonic Forces Of Management snicker.

I forecast it will be under three months before you find yourself saying to the Unwashed Geeks in your charge that your Agree with their Point Of View and if it was In Your Power you would Do this Thing, But....

Umbrellas vs. funnels

[Lumpish Scholar]

- Act as a filter for the politics

I've always said there are two kinds of managers: umbrellas and funnels.

Umbrellas are good. I've had both.

Re:Yeah, here's my advice.

[PhotoGuy]

Man, this whole discussion is worth the price of admission, if only for this one line:

Is wearing a pair of dockers and a shirt that doesn't have a fucking wookie on it going to kill you?

:-)