[DebtDetox]

That's a lot of hot air. I can usually tell if someone is an IT geek by how many times they correct other people, which means counting the times they say "actually". I am not an IT geeks, but I can stand to be around them because I'm an engineer, and as such, I am used to being wrong whereas IT geeks are not. Their world is about order and control, and doing what they can to continue that. That is why they love to correct you when you are wrong, even if it has nothing to do with them or they won't benefit by you being corrected. In fact, they might correct you to their own detriment!

Instead of trying to control these people I find it is best to identify them and then play mind games with them. For example, ask them what their strengths are and after they reply go "yeah, well mines 18/00, I win!" and walk away. Unplug your monitor and ask them you computer doesn't work, do this once a week, in the afternoon, and blame the janitor for unplugging it. Or tell them that you think a standard mouse is more ergonomic than a trackball, or ask why mirrors don't work over the internet...

Fact of the matter, they aren't going to change so why try to make them do so. Instead, ostracize them and make fun of them, much like we do Asher around here.

[Thigmaswams]

If your computer doesn't work and you don't notice til the afternoon then the IT guy is going to conclude that you're not downloading enough porn. Or that you don't work
Or that you are unplugging it just to bug him
Or someone is sabotaging you

see, that's a mind game

[Sensbachtal]

Pretty spot on Asher except for that review crap. They're ego driven, so just telling them they're great and giving them a decent raise covers that aspect with a lot less work. (hint, it's really all about the money, not the grade, but when money is tight, praise is cheaper)

Respect is the biggest thing. Leadership is second since most techs make awful bosses. In most companies any tech that can communicate instantly is on the management path. That doesn't necessarily make them a good boss. Your definition was better and since my staffs over the years usually had some of the highest retention rates in the company, I'd like to think that my mistakes have been limited.

[Kimeoffessyr]

I'm not business-challenged or managerially challenged.

But otherwise, sure.

[Peertantyb]

http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...4&pageNumber=1



Fact: Jerks who are always right are better than nice people who are frequently wrong.

Fact.