The latest articles on Forem by Ian Kent (@iankent). https://forem.com/iankent https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F9808%2F2300772.png https://forem.com/iankent en Ian Kent Wed, 29 Mar 2017 21:38:31 +0000 https://forem.com/iankent/manifesto-for-technology-leadership https://forem.com/iankent/manifesto-for-technology-leadership <p>One of the things I care about a lot is leadership in technology - how can we as leaders, and how can our leaders, nurture an environment which gets the best out of our people.</p> <p>It's easy to complain when we don't like something. It's much harder to explain what we want instead.</p> <p>The <a href="http://agilemanifesto.org/">agile manifesto</a> does an excellent job at setting out the principles we should aim for when building software - without dictating any particular style. Importantly, it sees everything as a compromise (‘<em>Individuals and interactions</em> over <em>processes and tools</em>') and doesn't treat either as always right or always wrong.</p> <blockquote> <p>While there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more</p> </blockquote> <p>Although this has given rise to numerous methodologies, each with their own distinct interpretations, it ensures teams and organisations have the flexibility to approach agile in a way which suits their unique circumstances - and to adapt as those circumstances change.</p> <h4> I propose we do the same for technology leadership. </h4> <p>And so I shamelessly rip off the agile manifesto style to get us started. And selfishly use the things I care about most. But I think this should be a collaboration - not just from leaders, but also the people we lead - so we create a manifesto which <em>means</em> something to us all.</p> <p>And I think this is important. Even if we're already doing these things, others aren't.</p> <h3> Manifesto for Technology Leadership - alpha! </h3> <p><strong>Support and direction</strong> over solutions and constraints<br> <strong>Responsibility and accountability</strong> over processes and rules<br> <strong>Encouragement and honesty</strong> over criticism and discipline<br> <strong>Goals and objectives</strong> over to-do lists and priorities<br> <strong>Appreciation and respect</strong> over praise and reward</p> <h3> And so... </h3> <p>Whatever your job role - be it developer, tech lead, UX designer, product owner, CTO or CEO - <strong>I'd like your contributions, your feedback, and hopefully your willingness to sign it</strong> to show your commitment to your teams. </p> manifesto agile leadership technology