A review by malaprop
Managing the Unmanageable: Rules, Tools, and Insights for Managing Software People and Teams by Mickey W. Mantle, Ron Lichty
3.0
I'm mixed on this book.
On the plus side, it was a comprehensive book on management. It isn't a leadership book or a guide on how to work up to the next level. This book is exactly what it claims to be: a guide on how to manage software teams. It goes into every facet of management including hiring, managing day-to-day, 1:1's, motivation, project management, etc. What is nice about this book is that it is geared towards software professionals so it deals with problems specific to that domain. If you are new to management and don't know what all is involved, this book will be a good springboard.
On the negative side, I found Mickey and Ron to give advice that at times felt dated. Most of their experience harkens back to the way large companies in the late '90s and early '00s were run in the Valley. I also found their ego to sometimes get in the way of the material. Early in the book they have a section where they describe different types of developers. They were strongly biased that the "best" developers are Systems Developers, and then they expound upon how that is what they were. Or that only the best developers are great at playing musical instruments too and that those who don't play musical instruments are probably not going to be among your best. These kinds of biases and comments are frequent through the book which I found a bit cringe-worthy. For instance, one of the techniques they encouraged to gain credibility with a team is to have your business cards framed on your desk so those walking in can see the supposed high-profile places you've worked. I had to muster up a bit of resolve to keep reading after that point.
But if you can wade through the biases and occasional ego hits, most of the book is practical and useful for getting the job done.
If you really want to grow in your leadership, I recommend books such as "High Output Management", "The Manager's Path", "The Coaching Habit", and "Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader". If you read a handful of these books, I think it will put you in a good frame of mind for not only managing teams but being an effective leader.
On the plus side, it was a comprehensive book on management. It isn't a leadership book or a guide on how to work up to the next level. This book is exactly what it claims to be: a guide on how to manage software teams. It goes into every facet of management including hiring, managing day-to-day, 1:1's, motivation, project management, etc. What is nice about this book is that it is geared towards software professionals so it deals with problems specific to that domain. If you are new to management and don't know what all is involved, this book will be a good springboard.
On the negative side, I found Mickey and Ron to give advice that at times felt dated. Most of their experience harkens back to the way large companies in the late '90s and early '00s were run in the Valley. I also found their ego to sometimes get in the way of the material. Early in the book they have a section where they describe different types of developers. They were strongly biased that the "best" developers are Systems Developers, and then they expound upon how that is what they were. Or that only the best developers are great at playing musical instruments too and that those who don't play musical instruments are probably not going to be among your best. These kinds of biases and comments are frequent through the book which I found a bit cringe-worthy. For instance, one of the techniques they encouraged to gain credibility with a team is to have your business cards framed on your desk so those walking in can see the supposed high-profile places you've worked. I had to muster up a bit of resolve to keep reading after that point.
But if you can wade through the biases and occasional ego hits, most of the book is practical and useful for getting the job done.
If you really want to grow in your leadership, I recommend books such as "High Output Management", "The Manager's Path", "The Coaching Habit", and "Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader". If you read a handful of these books, I think it will put you in a good frame of mind for not only managing teams but being an effective leader.