Can good developers be good CEOs?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7856192

by chintan39 • 12 years ago

3 10 12 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

jesusmichael4• 12 years ago

they can't...

alttab• 12 years ago

Can they be? No, they are programmers. Can they become? More interesting question!

kinj28• 12 years ago

Both roles are 180 degree apart. both needs very different skillset to deliver awesomeness. Having said this, you cant judge if good programmer will be a good CEO or not untill he functions as a CEO or if he had previous experience of being a CEO.

kirkus• 12 years ago

If the good developer has good management and business skills then yes they can.

chewxy• 12 years ago

From a sample size of one: there exists a very famous developer-CEO: Bill Gates

jesusmichael4• 12 years ago

Bill was a terrible programmer... So was the facebook kid

dreamdu5t• 12 years ago

According to what?

LarryMade2• 12 years ago

He did a great job on the TRS-80 Model 100 OS, very nice integrated environment, good UI and BASIC.

I think some good or crappy developers could make great CEOs, its not how you code but how you handle decisions and manage a business. Different skills, some have it, some don't.

Lets think of some developers that went on to be great CEOs; Richard Garriot (origin Systems). Nolan Bushnell (Atari). That "facebook guy" seems to do pretty well for himself and company. Also those two Google guys.

I think part of it is more a desire on such developers to change gears and become more business management oriented. Some folks might enjoy the change or challenge, others might not be suited or resent not being developers anymore.

Can good developers be good CEOs?

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