Edit: This still rings true.
Originally posted December 1, 2009 on AIXchange
Having previously written about management in “A Tale of Two Managers,” I really liked this Computerworld article. Some quotes:
“Geeks are smart and creative, but they are also egocentric, antisocial, managerially and business challenged, victim-prone, bullheaded and credit-whoring. To overcome these intractable behavioral deficits you must do X, Y and Z.”
“… my personal experiences working within IT groups have always been quite good, working with IT pros for whom the negative stereotypes just don’t seem to apply.”
“Few people notice this, but for IT groups respect is the currency of the realm. IT pros do not squander this currency. Those whom they do not believe are worthy of their respect might instead be treated to professional courtesy, a friendly demeanor or the acceptance of authority. Gaining respect is not a matter of being the boss and has nothing to do with being likeable or sociable; whether you talk, eat or smell right; or any measure that isn’t directly related to the work.”
There’s much more, and I encourage that you read it all, but this idea struck me: I’ve worked with arrogant people, but I put up with them and their arrogant attitudes because they were really, really smart. I knew that when I asked a question, I’d get the right answer every time, end of story. Sure, I may have wished these people were wrong occasionally, but it never happened. They were always right, and being right demands respect.
The article expresses it this way:
“While everyone would like to work for a nice person who is always right, IT pros will prefer a jerk who is always right over a nice person who is always wrong. Wrong creates unnecessary work, impossible situations and major failures. Wrong is evil, and it must be defeated. Capacity for technical reasoning trumps all other professional factors, period.”
Fortunately, I have had the privilege of working with a few nice people who also knew their stuff. These people not only knew what they were talking about, they also patiently took the time to help others understand what they already knew. Yes, they were busy — in part because they were constantly bombarded with questions from people who were unable or unwilling to find answers on their own. However, rather than berate their questioners, they took the time to help.
Are you a jerk who’s always right? Are you nice but often wrong? Are you really nice and really good? Be honest.