How NOT to lead geeks

May 25 by | 4 comments | Lifehack, Management | Tags: ,

Alexander Kjerulf in this article identifies 10 mistakes that managers make when leading geeks. Things like recognitions, training, communication, decision-making are considered in his list of mistakes:

  • Downplay training
  • Give no recognition
  • Plan too much overtime
  • Use management-speak
  • Try to be smarter than the geeks
  • Act inconsistent
  • Ignore the geeks
  • Make decisions without consulting them
  • Don’t give them tools
  • Forget that geeks are creative workers

However I would say those may be the mistake for managing any professionals, not just IT geeks.

How NOT to lead geeks – [Positive Sharing]

  • http://www.managingwithaloha.com/ Rosa

    I would agree Leon and take it a step further: this list applies to managing EVERYONE if you have any degree of respect whatsoever for a person’s intelligence and dignity.

    Another way to look at it … geeks, techies, managers, peers, suppliers, customers, – your children – all people craving recognition, involvement, and your aloha.

  • http://positivesharing.com Alexander Kjerulf

    I agree that these mistakes also apply to other kinds of employees besides geeks.

    I chose to focus on geeks because:
    1) These mistakes tend to annoy geeks the most
    2) Happy geeks are becoming crucial to most companies
    3) I used to be a geek. Still am in many ways

  • http://www.chrisbrogan.com ChrisBrogan

    My favorite book on this topic is Richard Florida’s RISE OF THE CREATIVE CLASS. It’s served as a sort of bible for me over the last year. Although, for the most part I use this bible to say, “YEah! Right! What he said!” instead of finding ways to integrate myself into the world.

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