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Steve,
> > This term is used by several managers in our company and it
> > drives me nuts. Its dehumanizing effects silently demoralize
> > developers each time the term is used.
> >
> I guess the key is to know where people's sensitities lie, and
> respect them.
Yes, respect is vital. Yet, I wouldn't say someone's objection to
being referred to as a "resource" as being sensitive.
I believe that our views of reality are built upon language and
social interaction. When a person in authority uses language that
crams a unique and complicated human being into the notion of "an
available supply," that human being's self-esteem will be challenged.
Some people will unconsciously accept the idea and some people will
recognize the conflicting views. The latter have an opportunity to
improve the situation by addressing the issue.
> If I were to address my current team as "you guys", I would be
> offending several of the women on the team, but not all of them. A
> good manager and leader will learn more about her team and act
> accordingly. Even so, if you are expecting a manager to disrespect
> you, you will be able to interpret anything they say in that light.
Good point.
> > Some of the managers I know that use the term "resources" when
> > referring to humans try to maintain an image of trust and respect
> > between themselves and the developers. By using this term I
> > believe they expose their underlying view of developers as
> > simply "deliverers of value."
>
> As a manager, I often refer to myself as "overhead". People seem
> to enjoy that.
I agree that self-deprecation can be a good thing. We shouldn't take
ourselves too seriously.
> I would actually be quite flattered if someone once
> said "No, Steve, you are a deliverer of value".
Me too.
My issue is with the term "resource." I believe it exposes a
person's belief that another person is simply "an available supply."
It doesn't promote the first value of the Agile Manifesto.
> Sorry if I keep shouting about this, but its a two way street. The
> general trend on this and several other threads is one of extreme
> disrespect and sometimes hostility towards the mid and low level,
> not to mention upper level, managers. The trend seems to be "those
> inadequate jerks don't respect me." Of course, I may be imagining
> it, but I don't think so.
I certainly don't think my boss is inadequate. And he's not a jerk
for using the term "resource" when he's talking about developers. He
probably picked up the habit from the people above him, it's a
cultural phenomenon. It's up to the people (like me) who feel it's a
problem to discuss it with the people involved. And I need to do
that.
> As Ron pointed out last week, the "fifth value" of XP should be
> Respect. I would phrase that as Mutual Respect.
Good point.
--Dave
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