Comments on: Why I Won’t Build Your “MySpace Killer” http://www.eclectictech.net/etblog/2006/10/16/why-i-wont-build-your-myspace-killer/ On Matters Miscellaneous Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:52:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Crisses http://www.eclectictech.net/etblog/2006/10/16/why-i-wont-build-your-myspace-killer/#comment-122 Thu, 19 Oct 2006 02:24:44 +0000 http://www.eclectictech.net/etblog/2006/10/16/why-i-wont-build-your-myspace-killer/#comment-122 I'll tentatively grant that a kick-ass manager is a kick-ass manager -- staying out of the team's way, developing team rapport, enabling the team by helping with theory/research/resource acquisition, building the team's strengths, finding ways to compensate for the weaknesses... and it hardly matters what the manager is managing if they're a management miracle worker. That said -- I still assert it's not a GOOD IDEA, because those types of managers are so *#*@(@)# few and far between, and they'd be EVEN BETTER if they understand the technology (or process) they are managing. You have managers that want to micromanage something they don't understand. The ones too proud to admit that the tech is over their heads. The ones that ONLY want results by any means and no ethics to make sure it's done right. A manager for a car manufacturer with no idea about cars... pick a business. The miracle managers are heaven-sent managers when they actually have a clue what they're managing. Otherwise they're over-glorified ignorant team players with a lot of time on their hands and paper to push until someone on the team screams "mercy". They still beat the socks off of the Type-A ignorant manager who beats his subordinates into submission to meet deadlines. They're just not particularly well placed. Add to the miracle manager the ability and desire to learn from the subordinates as s/he goes along and then they're taking care of that ignorance issue, and they might graduate to godsend. I’ll tentatively grant that a kick-ass manager is a kick-ass manager — staying out of the team’s way, developing team rapport, enabling the team by helping with theory/research/resource acquisition, building the team’s strengths, finding ways to compensate for the weaknesses… and it hardly matters what the manager is managing if they’re a management miracle worker.

That said — I still assert it’s not a GOOD IDEA, because those types of managers are so *#*@(@)# few and far between, and they’d be EVEN BETTER if they understand the technology (or process) they are managing. You have managers that want to micromanage something they don’t understand. The ones too proud to admit that the tech is over their heads. The ones that ONLY want results by any means and no ethics to make sure it’s done right.

A manager for a car manufacturer with no idea about cars… pick a business. The miracle managers are heaven-sent managers when they actually have a clue what they’re managing. Otherwise they’re over-glorified ignorant team players with a lot of time on their hands and paper to push until someone on the team screams “mercy”.

They still beat the socks off of the Type-A ignorant manager who beats his subordinates into submission to meet deadlines.

They’re just not particularly well placed. Add to the miracle manager the ability and desire to learn from the subordinates as s/he goes along and then they’re taking care of that ignorance issue, and they might graduate to godsend.

]]> by: Kiran http://www.eclectictech.net/etblog/2006/10/16/why-i-wont-build-your-myspace-killer/#comment-121 Wed, 18 Oct 2006 22:36:23 +0000 http://www.eclectictech.net/etblog/2006/10/16/why-i-wont-build-your-myspace-killer/#comment-121 " It’s never a good idea to manage something you don’t understand. Ever " -- Its true most of the times, but not always..not everyone can specialize in everything. For example in IT/Electronics Hardware industry, its somewhat common that a frontend manager sometimes manages the entire design flow which includes backend..As long as he is good at people management and project management and doesnt bullshit around with his backend team..its okk...This is from a true managerial perspective..but from enterprenuer perspective and when ur product/company is still in prototyping/incubator stage..I totally agree with you.. ” It’s never a good idea to manage something you don’t understand. Ever ” — Its true most of the times, but not always..not everyone can specialize in everything. For example in IT/Electronics Hardware industry, its somewhat common that a frontend manager sometimes manages the entire design flow which includes backend..As long as he is good at people management and project management and doesnt bullshit around with his backend team..its okk…This is from a true managerial perspective..but from enterprenuer perspective and when ur product/company is still in prototyping/incubator stage..I totally agree with you..

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