Comments on: the career manifesto

By: Bob Berry

Bob Berry — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 04:12:09 +0000

As an expansion to number 3, I would suggest getting real clear about the company mission, your department’s role in that, and to crisply identify not only YOUR role in that mission, but how you can help it evolve to something more meaningful.

By: Chris Meisenzahl

Chris Meisenzahl — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:13:51 +0000

Wonderful advice, thanks.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 02:50:00 +0000

One more thought – if you are not an active participant in the company revenue stream, you are expendable.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:47:55 +0000

Great Stuff. I like the “Litigation Breeders” line. I know about 20 guys like that. They just don’t get it.

By: Michael Wade

Michael Wade — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 08:06:53 +0000

Thanks, John. I’m glad you liked it and I’m honored that Hugh printed it.

By: anon4

anon4 — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:41:05 +0000

the first half of this list is complete tripe, written by some middle manager who is pissed he doesn’t have his underlings in line. great advice: suck it up, kiss your bosses feet, and TOW THE LINE because you can be out on your ass any second.
totally lame

By: Amateur Soldier

Amateur Soldier — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:42:57 +0000

I only have one qualm.
#10 ( “If you plan on showing them what you’re capable of only after you get promoted, you need to reverse your thinking” ) presumes you work and can thrive in some sort of meritocracy, where hard work, talent and so on, is not only appreciated but also rewarded accordingly.
I have seen plenty of examples where that is not the case. Maybe those are madhouses and you have to leave. But leaving is not always a simple straightforward decision.
Most often, you are being managed by idiots and all too commonly fired even after having done tons of work. Result: you don’t show commitment anymore…
I wish my world was as nice as yours, people.
I am a coder.
I am from Spain. (a joke of a country now…)

By: John Windsor

John Windsor — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:26:32 +0000

Wow, that was great! Especially “Focus on doing right instead of being right.” That goes way beyond the category of “Career”.
Kudos to Michael, and to you, Hugh. I love this series of Mini-Manefestos.