What do happy veteran developers have in common with each other? Apparently, they all choose to do “Extra Work”. What is Extra Work? Ben Northrop explains that it’s not simply doing more of their regular tasks (“Normal Work”), but instead different yet still related endeavours; for example, it may be researching ways to streamline their project’s code. Although the Extra Work may not contribute to a set goal, the value developers see in it is real, keeping them happier in the long run.
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Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
