Getting Some Help

I'm not talking about seeing a phychologist or psychiatrist. I'm not talking about a 12-step program. And I'm certainly not talking about booking a stint on Dr. Phil. I'm talking about reaching outo to your team for input, for feedback, and for another pair of hands. I'm talking about actual teamwork.

Developers who struggle with the same piece of code, won't leave their cube, won't acknowledge a problem, and refuse to get anyone else involved. They sometimes become paniced or desparate. They stay extra hours alone, suffering under their self-assigned yolk, blaming others for what is happening.

Managers who can't deliver a project on time and whose staff is unmotivated. Half of the staff know nothing about the project, tasks are not getting done, and new unforseen issues keep popping up. But the manager will tell you they're doing everything they can while they refuse anyone's help. They too become paniced or desparate, putting in heroic effort when it is all but too late, suffering under their self-assigned yolk, blaming others for what is happening.

I've seen this all too often. I've been these people.

As a manager, it is not your job to know every last detail of the project. As a manager, it is not your job to assign every task. You are not supposed to have all the answers or even understand every part of the solution. As a manager, it is your job to enable the team, solicit their input, guide them, direct them, clear their obsticles, and let them do their jobs well. This doesn't mean you aren't in control. You set the standards, you set the expectations, you monitor what is happening, you address the issues, and you participate without dictating.

So why did I call this post "Getting Some Help"?

Because the help you need comes from your team. As a team member or as a manager, unless you are literally a team of one, help is always available. Ask your fellow programmer to take a look at the code that haunts you. Ask your team to review the plan or ask your team to help put together the plan.