There’s a theory in leadership that if you hire brilliant people and leave them alone your business will succeed.
That theory is wrong.
Having worked with brilliant developers for a while I’ve noticed that some of the traits that make them so exceptional – their idealism, deep focus on technology, and willingness to challenge conventions – are also some of their greatest weaknesses.
For leaders, our challenge is understanding how to harness the power of these brilliant traits while helping our developers compensate for the accompanying weaknesses.
In this talk I share the lessons I’ve learned on how to handle the debilitating indecision of idealists while still moving toward ideals, work with the technology-focused powerhouse who struggles with interpersonal skills, and appreciate the importance of the brilliant person who seems to disagree with everything.
A video of this presentation is available on the Dutch PHP YouTube channel.
An Employer’s Guide To Managing Professionals on the Autism Spectrum by Marcia Scheiner
A wonderful description of working with folks on the spectrum with practical suggestions for leaders.
Dreaming in Code by Scott Rosenberg
What happens if you hire the smartest developers you can find then give them all the time and money they
need to create the software of your dreams? According to this true story, it doesn’t go well.
Fit by Warren Kennaugh
Explores how strengths can be weaknesses, and vice versa, depending on the work culture. He
focuses a bit too much on a particular personality assessment framework, which can be exhaustive, but
has great insights.
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
Explains how too many choices can be debilitating and what to do about it.
The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki
Exploration of how groups of independent thinkers can be “smarter” than any individual.
Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, et. al.
Insightful and practical suggestions for talking with people, especially those who disagree
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Authorized biography of Steve Jobs that reveals how his ideology was a two-edged sword.
Edison by Edmund Morris
Biography of Thomas Edison, oddly written backwards. Read from last section to first.
