Sun, 25 Aug 2002
Brad Wilson Continues The Obsessive Discussion
Brad Wilson picked up the discussion of obsessiveness in software developers and has some interesting thoughts on hiring quality people.
This one may seem tangential, but it always seems to hold true: some strong interest in an artistic pursuit, such as music, literature, poetry, etc.
Brad makes some excellent points that I agree with wholeheartedly. I also agree with the poster who noted that most of these traits, save for the artistic one, are true for a broad variety of positions, not just technologists.
I wanted to document further some of the reading that I've done on the subject of gifted coworkers in case others were so inclined. I find that one of the most educational things that a young person working in commercial software can do is to read a couple of books on the gifted mind and it's sometimes bizarre psycho-social implications.
Among the books that I've read, Liberating Everyday Genius by Mary-Elaine Jacobsen, is fascinating. Also, see Gifted Grownups by Marylou Kelly Streznewski. Both of these books provide a good perspective that helps to understand the madman in the cubicle next to you. On the other hand, if you're looking for something a little closer to a real software story, Fred Moody's I Sing The Body Electronic, which documents a year in a Microsoft product development cycle, is one of the best books on software culture that I've seen.
Posted at: 00:23 | permalink
