From: Code Complete (By: Steve McConnell)

 

In software development, nontechnical managers are common, as are managers who have technical experience but who are 10 years behind the times.
Technically competent, technically current managers are rare. If you work for one, do whatever you can to keep your job. It’s an unusual treat.

If your manager is more typical, you’re faced with the unenviable task of managing your manager. “Managing your manager” means that you need to tell your manager what to do rather than the other way around. The trick is to do it in a way that allows your manager to continue believing that you are the one being managed. Here are some approaches to dealing with your manager:
 ● Plant 895 ideas for what you want to do, and then wait for your manager to have a brainstorm (your idea) about doing what you want to do.
 ● Educate your manager about the right way to do things. This is an ongoing job because managers are often promoted, transferred, or fired.
 ● Focus on your manager’s interests, doing what he or she really wants you to do, and don’t distract your manager with unnecessary implementation details. (Think of it as "encapsulation” of your job.)
 ● Refuse to do what your manager tells you, and insist on doing your job the right way.
 ● Find another job.

 

The best long-term solution is to try to educate your manager. That’s not always an easy task, but one way you can prepare for it is by reading Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People.

 

在软件开发过程中，非技术人员往往是管理者。最为例外的情况是管理者有工作经验，但是已是十年未再干过了。会技术的管理者是少见的。如果你为某一人工作，应尽力保住你的饭碗。这不是一件容易的事情。作为一个阶层，每一位雇员都想升到他并不能胜任的层次。

如果你的上司并不是一个特别的人，你将不得不学会如何面对你的上司。“控制你的上司”意味着你应告诉你的上司怎样去做，而不是用其他方法。其要决在于用这样一种方法使你的上司相信你仍是受他管理的一员。以下是一些对付你上司的方法：

最好的解决方法是努力说服你的上司。这并不是一件容易的事情，但是你可阅读《How to Win Friends and Influence People》（《怎样赢得朋友和影响他人》）一书以学会如何准备这件事。