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How Do I Manage Seasoned Programmers?

Posted by kdawson on from the just-don't-say-mmm-kay dept.

An anonymous reader writes "I have a technology background and worked as a programmer for a few years before slipping over to the dark side. I am now on the business side and have been given responsibility for a small team of Java programmers. While the technology aspect of what my team works on doesn't scare me, I need ideas to make sure the team stays motivated while reporting to me, a business-oriented guy. Perhaps I should mention I am in my early 30s while the majority of the team constitute an older, wiser generation. What advice should I follow to avoid turning into yet another Bill Lumbergh?"

2 of 551 comments (clear)

  1. Listen, listen, listen by greg_barton · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Listen.

    Be open to criticism and be willing to change course in response to it.

    Make sure when you do talk technical, you know what you're talking about. Feel free to ask questions if you don't know, and be able to absorb and express abck what you've learned.

    If you need to make a decision based on "fluffy business stuff" that goes against the right theing to do on a technical issue, explain it thouroughly and be able to back it up. Geeks thrive on more information, not less.

    Give the geeks freedom to graze.

  2. Very Simple by LibertineR · · Score: 5, Interesting
    As their manager, they will expect and respect ONE thing above all else.

    Bullshit stops at YOUR door. Whether coming down from your management, or headed up from one of your primadonna coders.

    Your job is to provide the environment that best lets your people do what they do best. You are insulation, you are the sponge, you are the glue. All superfluous shit must be sandwiched and eaten by you.

    Don't try to be technical, admit what you don't know and ask for explanations. Realize that coders consider their code as a mother does her children. If you criticize, you better be right, or you will be hated forever. If the baby is truly ugly, KNIFE it, don't adapt to crap.

    NEVER turn down a legitimate request for tools considered necessary for their jobs. NEVER. Find the money, find the stomach to fight your management for the funds, and YOU make the arguments on your people's behalf.

    This is how you get coders on your side. (that and free food and drink.)

    You have to be the cog in the wheel.