Michael Lopp
3rd ed. 2016
Michael Lopp
Los Gatos, California, USA
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ISBN 978-1-4842-2157-0
e-ISBN 978-1-4842-2158-7
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4842-2158-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016947713
© Michael Lopp 2016
Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager, Third Edition
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Cover: Friedhelm Steinen-Broo
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Printed on acid-free paper
To my family.
All of my family.
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The Apress Business Team
This remains a work of semi-fiction.
A book on management is filled with insight, ideas, and opinions about how to lead humans. All of this information is based on real-life experience with actual people I still know. While I’d love to tell you that all my leadership experiences have been positive, they haven’t been. I’ve lost my shit a couple of times, and there were witnesses. These witnesses are the ones who helped me pull it together and gave me another page for this book.
All the names of people referred to in the chapters of this book are fake. I’ve taken everyone that I’ve known and mentally thrown them into a bag, shaken said bag, and pulled out Fez, Phil, Alice, and Frank. Using these constructed characters, I create a story, sometimes set in a familiar company I actually worked for—like Apple, Slack, Netscape, Palantir, Pinterest, or Borland—which allows me to explain whatever leadership insight I’m relaying. Like my characters, my stories are fake. My hope is that they still ring true in your head because while they are fantastic stories, they are based on real experiences.
The icing on this semi-fictional cake is Rands. This is a name I began using in the mid-1990s for my virtual presence. When I began blogging, the name stuck. Think of Rands as your semi-fictional guide walking you through the fake stories of fake people that have had incredible relevant (yet fake) experiences.
Rands has a bit of attitude, but, then again, so do I.
I’d like to acknowledge and thank:
The readers of Rands in Repose who not only unwittingly guided the initial creation of this work by reading, commenting, and mailing, but whose continued interest allowed me to develop a far superior third edition.
Melanie Baker, my editor, whose infinite patience and unique Canadianness keeps Rands sounding like Rands. She would never allow the word Canadianness into a proper book.
Tom Paquin, who years ago took the time to guide me and shape my thinking regarding how to be a good manager.
John Gruber, my dear friend, who inspires me with his writing and who I don’t see enough.
42.
Steve Jobs, who didn’t fire me when he had the chance.
Michael Lopp
is a veteran engineering manager who has not yet managed to escape Silicon Valley. Over the course of more than 20 years in software development, Michael has worked at a variety of innovative companies, including Apple, Slack, Netscape, Symantec, Borland, Palantir, Pinterest, and a startup that slowly faded into nothingness.
In addition to his day job, Michael writes a popular technology and management blog under the nom de plume “Rands,” where he discusses his management ideas, worries about staying relevant, and explains that while you might be handsomely rewarded for what you build, you will only be successful because of your people. His blog can be found at www.randsinrepose.com .
Michael lives in the Redwoods of Northern California with his family. He mountain bikes, plays hockey, and drinks red wine whenever he can, because staying sane is more important than staying busy.
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