diff --git a/blog/guide-for-it-bosses.mdwn b/blog/guide-for-it-bosses.mdwn new file mode 100644 index 00000000..3f92d1c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/guide-for-it-bosses.mdwn @@ -0,0 +1,66 @@ +[[!meta title="The guide for IT bosses"]] + +## Introduction + +You are an IT boss. Your job is to manage the +[IT crowd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_IT_Crowd). +Depending on your skills and knowledge you may find this +job more easy or hard. + +This guide is created by those who you try to manage: The IT crowd. + +Discussion for enhancements +takes place on [Hackernews](https://news.ycombinator.com/). + +## Background + +I am a System Engineer currently working 80% +for [local.ch (Swiss Phonebook)](http://www.local.ch) and 20% for +[ungleich (Unix/Linux infrastructure company)](http://www.ungleich.ch). + +On a daily basis I see how employees and bosses are acting and I spent time +on analysing the behaviour of both parties (for fun - not profit). +As I often see common mistakes and behaviour patterns, which make +good or bad bosses, the idea was born to create a guide for IT bosses. + +## Guidelines + +### Be honest + +Not a special requirement in regards of IT, but if you want your +employees to respect you, you definitely need to be honest. + +Don't even think about playing tricks on them, they will find out and +everybody will lose the respect for you. Guaranteed. + +### Be available + +Your job involves a lot of meetings and coordination. +Your employees understand that and may even be very thankful you took that job. +Still, as you are the boss, communicate straightly when you are available, so +people can bring their questions and problems to you. + +If you see there is too less time to be available for your team, it's probably +good time to split up the team or to move on to another position +and promote somebody else for being the head of IT crowd. + +### Give freedom + +More important than in probably most other areas is the amount of freedom you +give: IT professionals are usually bright people who understand their job very +well. The learn on the job (which includes getting side tracked from time to time), +they are keen to touch the latest and newest technologies and have a high motivation. + +Adding artifical borders to the way the work makes them less productive, less motivated and +in the worst case leave your workplace. + +Pay even more attention on this topic, if you have some technical background. +You may know (or think you know!) what the best solution or technical choice is, +but you hired those people to do a good job, not just to execute your thoughts, did you? + +## More to come + +This article is work in progress and is going to be enhanced by input +from other IT professionals - don't miss the discussion on Hackernews. + +[[!tag localch net unix]]