Leading Geeks (eBook)

How to Manage and Lead the People Who Deliver Technology

Paul Glen (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2003 | 1. Auflage
288 Seiten
John Wiley & Sons (Verlag)
9780787965464 (ISBN)

Infos

Winner of the 2003 Financial Times Germany/getAbstract Business
& Finance Book Award

Leading Geeks challenges the conventional wisdom that
leadership methods are universal and gives executives and managers
the understanding they need to manage and lead the technologists on
whom they have become so dependent. This much-needed book? written
in nontechnical language by Paul Glen, a highly acclaimed
management consultant? gives clear directions on how to effectively
lead these brilliant yet notoriously resistant-to-being-managed
knowledge workers. Glen not only provides proven management
strategies but also background on why traditional approaches often
don't work with geeks. Leading Geeks describes the beliefs
and behavior of geeks, their group dynamics, and the unique nature
of technical work. It also offers a unique twelve-part model that
explains how knowledge workers deliver value to an
organization.

Autor

PAUL GLEN is a management consultant who helps clients build effective technology organizations. For more than fifteen years he has advised clients in the United States, Europe, and Asia. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member in the MBA programs at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and Loyola Marymount University. Prior to founding C2 Consulting, he was western regional manager for SEI Information Technology, a national IT consultancy. And, yes, he is a geek.

Inhalt

Editor's Note xi
Warren Bennis

Foreword xiii
David H. Maister

Introduction xv

Acknowledgments xxi

Overview: The Challenge of Geeks 1

1. Geeks, Leadership, and Geek Leadership 3

Part One: The Context of Geek Leadership 19

2. The Essential Geek 27

3. Groups of Geeks 44

4. The Nature of Geekwork 57

5. Performing Geekwork 74

Part Two: The Content of Geek Leadership 97

6. Nurturing Motivation 103

7. Providing Internal Facilitation 122

8. Furnishing External Representation 142

9. Managing Ambiguity 158

10. Selecting and Organizing Geekwork 179

11. Uniting Geeks and Geekwork 197

Conclusion: Harmonizing Context and Content 219

12. How Geek Leaders Lead 221

Appendix: Models and Lists 235

Notes 241

References 243

The Author 247

Index 249

Rezensionen

Technology has so clearly woven itself into the fabric of businessculture that publishing Glen's book on how to manage the people whoproduce high tech makes perfect sense. The author, founder of aconsulting firm specializing in IT organizations, assumes that"geeks" are not everyday people, and draws on his experience topresent clear and simple techniques for employers to not just getwhat they need out of tech workers but to become the kind ofmanagers who will mesh well with this new kind of employee. Glen'sinsight is to treat high technology as a creative product producedby temperamental people who are a cross between artists andprofessionals. This view stems from the ambiguity of "geekwork" andthe fact that geeks usually know more about what they do than dotheir managers. Though Glen doesn't advocate turning the factoriesover to the workers, his aim is to make managers more effective byteaching them about the people they lead, not by giving them toolsto bend employees to their will. He does an excellent job ofenumerating geek characteristics and the context in which geekworktakes place, providing ample material on what works with geeks andwhat doesn't, such as "intrinsic" or "extrinsic" motivators, andvaluable advice, like "never underestimate the power of free food."Though it doesn't contain much new material, Glen's easily readablebook will prove exceptionally useful for managers who feel leftbehind by the pace of technology or bosses seeking to betterunderstand their information age employees. (Nov.) (PublishersWeekly, October 21, 2002)

"Winner of the 2003 Financial Times Germany and getAbstractAward for best book on business leadership""Managing technology talent is more critical today than everbefore. This book brings an insightful and delightful perspective."
-- James Champy, chairman of consulting, Perot SystemsCorporation

"In this provocative book, Paul Glen provides excellent advicefor managing 'geeks' the computer nerds and other high-tech gurusof the 21st century. But his insights apply equally well to thechallenge of leading any group of specialists for whom esotericknowledge is more important than power, and expertise moredeterminative of social dominance than bureaucratic hierarchy,including actors, athletes, university faculty, musicians, doctors,and bond traders."
-- Steven Sample, president, University of SouthernCalifornia

"With an uncanny perception, Leading Geeks provides rareinsight into managing often confusing and complex IT professionals.Whether you have minimal or extensive experience managingtechnologists, you will be inspired by this book."
-- Craig McLeod, director of information technology, SanDiego City Schools

"Highly talented technical people are a separate breed, andmanaging them is a delicate art. Paul Glen's new book, LeadingGeeks, is essential reading for any manager facing thedifficult challenge of leading, motivating, and rewarding technicalcontributors. Paul has done the improbable he's taken hisexperience and knowledge of technical leadership and produced afunny, engaging, and valuable work that is a treasure trove ofwisdom for technical managers."
-- Rick Freedman, author, The IT Consultant

"We ought to stop complaining about technical wizards and learnhow to utilize their considerable talents. Paul Glen helps us to dothat better than I ever dreamed possible."
-- Alan Weiss, author, The Ultimate ConsultantSeries

"I identify with geeks and, therefore, recommend this book notonly for those who manage, work, and live with geeks, but also forgeeks. It helps us to get to know ourselves better. Read it oncefor fun and once for meaning, then keep it and expect to refer backto it."
-- Dolph Santello, principal consultant, MicrosoftCorporation

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 3.2.2003
• Reihe/Serie: J-B Warren Bennis Series
• Reihe/Serie: J-B Warren Bennis Series
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Wirtschaft ► Betriebswirtschaft / Management ► Logistik / Produktion
• Themenwelt: Wirtschaft ► Betriebswirtschaft / Management ► Unternehmensführung / Management
• Schlagworte: Business & Management • Business Technology • Führung • Führung • Human Resource Management • Management f. Führungskräfte • Management f. Führungskräfte • Management / Leadership • Personalmanagement • Unternehmenstechnologie • Wirtschaft u. Management
• ISBN-13: 9780787965464 / 9780787965464