Relationship Management

There's a pretty decent article over
at A List Apart on relationship management by Keith LaFerriere from a couple weeks ago (catching up on some of my reading). I enjoyed the "Hat Head" versus "Bed Head" comparison, particularly since I'd definitely qualify myself as a "Bed Head" in my attempt to live a creative lifestyle. Though, as a developer, my idea of a creative lifestyle is probably a little different from the conception of a typical designer (less coffee and black turtlenecks and more Dr. Pepper and not-shaving).

Anyway, he makes several very important points that I think everyone in development and design need to adhere to more.

• Don't take things personally. Yes, you are being creative and it is important to you, but if you're making money doing it, you need to have a professional attitude and be willing to compromise.
• Be an example, particularly if you're the team leader. It's really amazing how much the behavior of a person is determined by the people around him. If you get ticked off every time someone does something you don't like, people around you will probably start having at least a kernel of similar behavior. This goes doubly so for managers and leaders. Your behavior sets the tone the rest of the group will judge itself by. Be good.
• Watch your language. By this I'm referring to trying to be what I would call "open-minded language." If you indicate by the adjectives you use that you're not listening or don't intend to, you will convince no one of anything. Avoid strong adjectives and try to talk as if all the options are still open even if you're already on a specific path. You can make it clear that a bad idea isn't going to fly without insulting your audience.

Anyway, I just wanted to post that link and give an infinitesimal boost to what I consider to be a good overall article on getting along with coworkers and getting the job done as a team.

Cheers.