Ask HN: Is there a bias against coders in business?
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10345306I've noticed that as soon as someone I'm talking to realises that I can code, then the whole discussion shifts. I'm no longer asked about business matters, but only about technical ones.
I've had my business experience dismissed as irrelevant during conversations "because the only thing anyone cares about is your technical ability".
I've even noticed myself talking exclusively to the non-tech co-founder of a startup about the startup's model when the tech co-founder is just as involved with the business and just as knowledgeable.
I've noticed that none of the "leaders" in the local startup community can code.
I've noticed that people who speak about their successful tend to say something like "obviously I can't code myself" as if that would immediately reduce their credibility.
It seems that marketing skills, sales skills, legal qualifications, financial experience, or any other form of business experience is an asset, but coding skills are not. Any evidence of ability to code means that you're incapable of also having business skills.
Has anyone else noticed this?
Do other engineering practices get the same grief?
Any ideas on how to deal with it?