Managing vs Orchestration and Enablement for Software Development Teams

As a manager in tech, my distaste is growing for the term Software Development Manager.

Let's look at some definitions for "manage":

1. Be in charge of.

2. Administer or regulate

3. Run

4. Maintain control or influence over

5. Control the use of

With these defintions, is it any wonder we have people trying to control the daily lives of software developers? I certainly do not attempt to control or regulate my team members. I don't even consider myself in charge of them. I don't usually need to control the professionals that work for me. They are autonomous and self-regulated individuals.

That sounds weird from someone who calls himself a Software Development Manager.

In my head, however, I consider myself an enabler and orchestrator.

Let's look at those definitions:

Orchestrate - arrange or direct the elements of (a situation) to produce a desired effect, especially surreptitiously

Enable - give someone the means to do something

I DO orchestrate some of their interactions and collaborations.

I DO orchestrate the order and manner of work to ensure we ship quality code.

I DO enable my team members to be able to do their jobs.

I DO enable my team members to work together.

I DO enable my team members to raise questions and drive change.

Conduct, Don't Control

Today, software development is a complex task that requires many people to collaborate successfully. Just like in an orchestra, if one musician is playing to their own beat, the entire piece suffers. Also, the conductor does not seek to control each musician but to encourage and guide them in collaborating with their fellow musicians. He may ask the lead violinist to play a soft melody that weaves under the loud, bombastic brass section plays. At other times, he may have almost everyone fall silent while the percussionist pounds out a solo. He is coordinating the behaviors of his team to get the most out of each of them and the piece of music.

A good conductor will enable the members of the orchestra to be the best players they can be. He will guide them in understanding the piece of music and the goals of the performance. He may move people to ensure the hard work and skills they demonstrate are not lost in a muddied sound.

Change Your Mindset

If you're a software development manager (or above) struggling to get your team on track, I encourage you to look at what I said above and change your mindset. Approach your role with the goal of orchestrating your team's performance. Enable your team to become the best they can be. Your software will benefit from it.