Interesting HBR IdeaCast article

  • Article

Today I came across this article and I thought to share with you because I think it holds a lot of true for software development teams. I think the notion of always providing value because we are smart or have this certain level of expertise at times is detrimental to the overall success of that idea.

Podcast: https://blogs.bnet.com/intercom/?p=1648

Column: https://discussionleader.hbsp.com/goldsmith/2008/01/tips_for_managing_smart_people.html

Also read the comments as some of them are very insightful

Here is my high level take on this:

  • Speak up if you think the idea is not great. Meaning that if you think the value add of your comment is more than 30-50% of the current idea at that point I think is well worth it
  • Don't comment or provide extra features just for the sake of doing it. Sometime a "That is great !" is all that is necessary to get that idea to completion and into the customers hand
  • Foster a collaborative team environment were people feel free to share and collaborate on ideas so you avoid these type of problems (this I think is the most important and also the most difficult to achieve)