I’ve had some recent experiences working with software programmers who have been promoted to management. Often in the technology industry, people are promoted based on one set of skills (technical skills) to a position that requires a different skill set (people skills). A blend of both would be ideal. However, in the above-mentioned cases these professionals found themselves relatively underwhelmed and bored in their technical positions and overwhelmed in their supervisory/managerial positions.
Of course, not all computer programmers are introverted and lacking people skills. I even married one, although she’s no longer a programmer. But does the idea of being promoted to the level of incompetence (the Peter Principle) occur at a faster rate in technologically-oriented organizations in general or are my experiences isolated?
Filed under: Management | Tagged: Management, People Skills, Peter Principle, Promotion, Technology
