I have to say that some combination of these negative traits can describe me at certain points in time. I'll set out to try to build the "perfect" thing, and then snap to reality and use the quick-and-dirty solution.
Procrastination, distraction, laziness, lack of follow-through, slowness, those all manifest themselves when I have no reason to be engaged in the work. The work might just be a really bad match (example: endless maintenance and toiling through bad legacy code, putting out fires, when I could be designing and building something half decent).
Good points. We all have moments where we exhibit some or all of these traits. This is not about an individual moment (or e.g. working for a terrible, demotivating manager, or on a crappy project).
But I do think there are some people who may be very smart or experienced, but who just are not very effective. Some of this could be contextual (in which case it is valuable for both you and them to find them a new home), but sometimes it is just a person's personality or approach to work.
Elad, really enjoyed your post. I am a notorious procrastinator, I start things I don't finish, I am very easily distracted, but I also run a small business. I didn't hire GSD types intentionally, but it happened through sheer luck and I would definitely favour those attributes in the future. My two current employees, usually without deadlines or any real structure, crank out work at a great pace.
Comments
I have to say that some combination of these negative traits can describe me at certain points in time. I'll set out to try to build the "perfect" thing, and then snap to reality and use the quick-and-dirty solution.
Procrastination, distraction, laziness, lack of follow-through, slowness, those all manifest themselves when I have no reason to be engaged in the work. The work might just be a really bad match (example: endless maintenance and toiling through bad legacy code, putting out fires, when I could be designing and building something half decent).
Good points. We all have moments where we exhibit some or all of these traits. This is not about an individual moment (or e.g. working for a terrible, demotivating manager, or on a crappy project).
But I do think there are some people who may be very smart or experienced, but who just are not very effective. Some of this could be contextual (in which case it is valuable for both you and them to find them a new home), but sometimes it is just a person's personality or approach to work.
Elad, really enjoyed your post. I am a notorious procrastinator, I start things I don't finish, I am very easily distracted, but I also run a small business. I didn't hire GSD types intentionally, but it happened through sheer luck and I would definitely favour those attributes in the future. My two current employees, usually without deadlines or any real structure, crank out work at a great pace.