Don't Feed the Thought Leaders (earthly.dev)

Article summary

The article discusses the concept of thought leaders in the software development industry and how their advice can be problematic when it is non-contingent, meaning it is not tailored to the specific problem at hand. The author draws on research by Philip E. Tetlock, who found that experts can be divided into two categories: hedgehogs, who have one big idea that they apply to every situation, and foxes, who are more nuanced and skeptical. The author argues that contingent advice, which takes into account the specific context and nuances of a problem, is more valuable than non-contingent advice. The article also explores the challenges of seeking alignment and feedback from various stakeholders in a software development project.

Main themes

• thought leadership
• contingent vs non-contingent advice
• software development
• expertise
• communication
• problem-solving
• stakeholder management

What commenters say

• Some commenters agree that non-contingent advice can be harmful and that contingent advice is more valuable, while others argue that sometimes non-contingent advice can be useful in certain situations.
• The problem of 'Why do you want to do that? You should do this instead' is a common issue in advice-giving, where the advisor fails to understand the context and goals of the person seeking advice.
• The concept of the 'XY problem' is relevant to the discussion, where the person seeking advice is actually trying to solve a different problem than they initially stated.
• Some commenters suggest that the distinction between hedgehogs and foxes is not always clear-cut, and that even hedgehogs can provide valuable insights in certain contexts.
• The technique of adding non-essential tasks to a 'future work' section can be an effective way to placate stakeholders and prioritize more important tasks.
• The importance of understanding the motivations and goals of the person seeking advice is crucial in providing valuable and relevant advice.
• The book 'How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk' is mentioned as a resource for improving communication skills, including in the context of advice-giving.