The rules that work in normal society and in normal social structures, simply don’t apply to geeks. If you tell a geek that she has to produce more widgets to keep her job, she is just as likely to work diligently, day and night, to find a way to twiddle the data in your reports so you will be impressed with her increase in productivity, as she is to actually produce more widgets.
Geeks are driven by something deep down inside. This internal driving force is so strong that external factors produce limited or entirely unexpected results.
Understanding this driving force, is key to understanding geeks. And understanding geeks is essential if you ever hope to have productive relationsionships, either personal or professional, with one.
The cure for Technogeekaphobia™ is simple. Knowledge and patience. Leading Technogeeks can be very rewarding when done correctly.
It will result in greater productivity, a better corporate culture, a more cooperative spirit, and most of all, it will reduce the stress and apprehension of managing IT projects.
After spending decades as a Technogeek and a manager of Technogeeks I began to notice a series of common mistakes that project managers, department managers, users and executives make when dealing with their employees who run their technology departments. It was through these observations and decades of trial and error that I have discovered The Cure.
ACTION STEPS
• Assess the personalities that make up your team.
• Learn the factors that make your team productive.
• Train your business users to understand Technogeek personalities.
• Train your Technogeeks to understand business users.
• Use appropriate tools for managing technical projects.
• Use appropriate tools and language for reporting technical results back to business units.
• Encourage teamwork and participation.
For additional information or to find out how we can help you implement these ideas, please contact us at info@technogeekaphobia.com.
Dennis Houchin has spent the past 30 years working with and managing TechnoGeeks in a wide range of industries. Find out what he can do for you and your team.
Technogeekaphobia™ is a term coined by Dennis Houchin to describe one of the most common causes of IT project failure.
With more than three decades in the IT field, Dennis has developed a unique understanding of this problem.
CURE TECHNOGEEKAPHOBIA™
Know Thyself - Understand Peronality Theory especially Myers-Briggs. Utilize personality theory in the organization. Discover and eliminate barriers to communication. Utilize different and approriate management styles.
Need help implementing these ideas within your team? We can help.