Ask HN: How do you handle being an engineer with a non-technical manager?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20847193

by psv1 • 7 years ago

3 4 7 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

PaulHoule• 7 years ago

Build trust. Might be easier said than done.

karmakaze2• 7 years ago

I don't think I'd try such a position. I don't even much like working at companies without a technical CTO/CEO. You'd think any CTO should be technical as it's the second letter, but not so.

psv1• 7 years ago

It's not something that I even considered when I got my current position and now I'm trying to figure things out.

karmakaze2• 7 years ago

The hardest part is going to be communication. You don't share a context and understanding, but neither may be aware of blindspots. Even with somewhat technical managers there are times where it's very difficult to convey the magnitude of a issue or development. The only way this could work well is if each is competent and gains respect for the other's scope. Top-down desires/goals have to get translated into work to be done on some agreed schedule. And development concerns have to feed up to guide selection and sequencing of projects. This will take time even if it goes well as it takes a track record on both sides to get into a groove. Also both parties have to have reasonable personalities, or one has to be phenomenal and somehow able to orchestrate order.

My general advise is to take it a day/week at a time. Gauge where you're at, and how things are going from time to time. Regardless of where you start and even whether it's getting worse of better, check the derivative rates and estimate if it's doable and if you're up for how long that might take. If it doesn't work out, don't consider it a failure, or do but realize that it's how we get better or sense red flags.

Edit: when I say 'communicate' I don't mean make your point understood, we all automatically do this. The part that's hard is letting go of your own view to find some value/truth in what the other person is saying. I have trouble here too as we're usually trying to get our message out first, then get to the other understanding part but that's a deadlock.

Ask HN: How do you handle being an engineer with a non-technical manager?

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