A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happily
*NOTE: “I recieved many questions regarding my own job, and like I said in my interview with Jason Calacanis - Position Tech ROCKS - this post was written regarding all the bad jobs I’ve had in the past and to all of my dearest geek friends who have to deal with crappy jobs every day.”
There are many reasons to let geeks work the way they want to work. Today they work in every industry. They are the knowledge base, blood and sweat equity of many businesses. They work harder than most. They work longer than most. Their job isn’t a separate “thing they do” while they look forward to going home and relaxing. Geeks *live* what they do. They eat, sleep and breathe it. They are your systems administrators, your IT team, your programmers, your web developers, your designers… and sometimes even your customer service and sales people. Anyone who understands how to leverage todays technology to increase intelligence, productivity and efficiency; anyone who stays up nights working to get better at what they do; anyone whose job is their life - is a geek. These are the most important asset your company has. For this reason, its important to give geeks what they want. Best part is, if you do, they most likely will not leave your company to work for someone who will.
#1. Let them work when they want
Geeks work almost every moment they are awake. They are online before they go to the office. They are home working after the office closes. They work weekends. They are even sometimes working in their dreams. Employers should understand this and more importantly appreciate it. Don’t force geeks to work 8 - 5 if there is no real need other than “company morale.” Meetings are one thing, so is socializing with coworkers, but a relaxed office schedule will do wonders for the contentment levels of your employed geeks.
#2. Let them work where they want
Geeks prefer to have a couch around to nap on if they are tired. Some like no windows, others want to stare out into a city or landscape. At home, geek’s offices are usually more lived in, more comfortable and enjoyable than anywhere else in the world. This is because they love what they do, and they do it so much of the time they need to be comfortable where they do it.
#3. Let them control their lighting
There is nothing more annoying than working in bright crappy fluorescent lighting if you prefer to work in the dark, or vice versa. Geeks usually have sensitive eyes from staring at CRT monitors for too long. The last thing you want is your geeks to have headaches. Most geeks aren’t very pleasant to work with when they have headaches.
#4. Let them wear headphones
Geeks are experts in the arts of “focus.” Focusing takes removing all unnecessary distractions from your environment and creating a state where nothing else is going on but what they are working on. The harder the problem they are trying to solve or the more creative they have to be, the more they need to focus. Headphones, or simply a lack of ringing phones and talking sales people allow geeks to focus much easier.
#5. Do not expect them to wear a suit
Geeks find arbitrary activities that lack real and meaningful purpose, a waste of time and energy. This includes attire. Most companies today are aware of this and even practice casual dress so as to make everyone more comfortable, but geeks are a special case. “Suits” (the kind of person) usually represent a business man who lacks most things other than a nice smile and great negotiation skills.
#6. Do not make them participate in company events (unless you are sure it is geek-friendly)
Most geeks will not be jumping up and down with joy to attend a company party to celebrate the local football team, unless of course there is beer, and they can hang around and talk to each other about geeky things. Keep this in mind when planning company events. Geeks like to have fun, just not the same kind of fun as your typical non-geek.
#7. Do not hold a lot of arbitrary meetings that could have otherwise been handled through email or IM
This one is important. Like I said, geeks need to focus to be happy and able to focus. Nothing is more of an interruption than someone walking into their space unexpectedly and saying “hey do you have a minute?” The answer is usually going to be a disgruntled “Sure.” The truth is geeks are fine with attending planned meetings (and will happily be there if the meeting is really a necessary one for them to attend in person), but are usually most happy communicating through email and IM. These forms of communication are most appealing to geeks because they do not interrupt you, and polite geeks will even respond with a quick “hold on a sec, I’m in the middle of something.” Email and IM are recorded, searchable records of conversations. They are efficient and to the point. This also makes geeks happy. Geeks can discuss anything through email and IM and will usually be more willing and thorough with their response. Face to face meetings are important, geeks know that, but I would guess that 90% of conversations and meetings held face to face, would be more efficient and end with happier people, if they were held in a recordable, written, virtual space.
#8. Do not make them do anything other than work
This one isn’t completely accurate all the time. Geeks are team players, but they are also easily insulted by being given a task below their level of expertise or outside of the scope of their position. They’ll do it, but they won’t be totally happy. This includes: answering phones, taking out trash, going shopping for company supplies, and “filling in” for a sales person.
I hope this summary helps employers further understand the world of geeks, and how to keep them happy. I also hope this helps other geeks out there approach their employers with a list of what they need to work happy.
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March 12th, 2007 08:25
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March 12th, 2007 09:00
While you have some good ideas here I have to ask why should we single out geeks for such preferential treatment. If it is good for geeks wouldn’t it be good for other workers as well. We would all like flexible schedules and couches to nap on. You are making it seem as though geeks work harder than other people.
If geeks truly do live their work then they shouldn’t complain if they have to adhere to company rules. Work within the system to change the rules if possible but remember that at the end of the day that you are not the owner but an employee and yes that means that even you have to toe the line
March 12th, 2007 09:52
Dude, awesome article. I can relate to each one here as I am an IT Tech myself. I hate wearing suites and everything else you mentioned. You may want to mention drinks too. Like making sure there’s plently coffee, tea or beverages. I hate it when there’s no Tea in the office. I have to have tea every day.
Nice Work…
March 12th, 2007 10:04
EM - in the start of my article I tried to describe “Geeks” as anyone who leverages technology to work more efficiently, and *lives* what they do. In essence this can be any employee, I wasn’t trying to single out only computer geeks :).
March 12th, 2007 10:39
Actually on average geeks do work harder. This is because they love their work.
Further, your version of “toeing” the line would indicate that everyone should suffer equally. I would hate to work where you do. The point of the article is that if you help workers be comfortable and *gasp* more efficient, they will continue on long after the business has closed. So who is it that isn’t towing the line? The folks shopping for shoes at work waiting for some client code, or the guy that works long weekend hours because its actually an exciting challenge?
I’m sure a number of people will argue that the ideas listed above are “geeks” just asking for preferential treatment… when in fact it is simply a request to work smarter not harder… and get more accomplished. Get it?
March 12th, 2007 10:44
I agree with all except 8. Asking people to work outside of their area of expertise can be a good thing if done fairly and for a good reason.
In a small organization you don’t always have the luxury of specialization. The customer and the purchase order rule and sometimes employees have to get outside their comfort zones to keep the ship sailing. As long as this is done fairly (i.e. the CEO mans the phones and takes out the trash as well), then it is a good thing.
I am more sympathetic to your point in large organizations but still don’t entirely agree. All bureaucracies suffer lack of communication and understanding among different parts of the organization. Doing someone else’s job, even for a day, is immensely educational, especially if your own job is somewhat removed from the customer. All Disney employees have to walk the park in a suit one day a year. All devs should field customer support calls one day a year as well. Even having interdisciplinary working groups address problems, a la Toyota and Boeing, is good at breaking the “not my problem” attitude in so many corporations. Walking in someone else’s shoes is good as long as it’s for a good reason.
March 12th, 2007 10:47
Jack - “I’m sure a number of people will argue that the ideas listed above are “geeks” just asking for preferential treatment… when in fact it is simply a request to work smarter not harder… and get more accomplished. Get it?”
You sure got it.
March 12th, 2007 10:49
Tom - “Asking people to work outside of their area of expertise can be a good thing if done fairly and for a good reason.”
This is absolutely true. “Geeks” (people who love what they do and leverage technology as it should be) are usually more than willing to help out the team, if they feel they are a part of it and respected (doing the other 7 points will probably accomplish that). Doing someone else’s job for a day for learning purposes is a great idea, so are work groups, however it sounds like you do things with a good reason and I get the feeling you respect your team - thats all it takes!
March 12th, 2007 10:52
GEEKS!!!!luv them!!—Luv them GOOD!!!
March 12th, 2007 12:40
[…] Read the other 6 @ Nomad is Here .com […]
March 12th, 2007 12:45
#8 is correct. Those opposed are not geeks.
Add #9 or append #4: do not play background music! DO NOT.
I’m a geek - a damn skilled, valuable one at that - and I quit my last job largely for this reason.
March 12th, 2007 12:56
EM I agree with you that geeks should not be singled out for preferential treatment, but rather than being such a corporate toady by arguing that everyone must “toe the line”, why not instead argue that everyone should have the right to these working conditions whenever possible? Technology today makes it possible for many of us to work where and when we want, so why should we accept or tolerate following outdated policies simply because they exist? Besides improving quality of life, this would also reduce environmental problems, our dependence on fossil fuels and most likely increase productivity. People like you who just go along with the status quo rather than questioning, resisting, and pushing for change are an important reason why so little progress is being made in this direction.
March 12th, 2007 12:57
what if the office guys forget that geeks are there …
they work at home and at night …
never around …
what then … hehe …
yeah i guess u r right …
geeks will always be geeks …
hehe ..
March 12th, 2007 13:02
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March 12th, 2007 13:09
EM-
Your typical Geek tends to put in a lot of time, both at the end of the day, home (vpn’d in) and doing simple things as reading an article on an application/product and thinking of how this will help make something else easier.
That being said, this rarely happens with accounting/HR/low end sales/maintenance/etc. Your general labor force leaves at 5:00pm sharp and doesn’t do anything work related until 8:00 am the next morning. You’re typical geek leaves 5:30/6:00/7:00, probably does a little work from home and awaits the new switch install that’s happening next saturday (while you’ll be solely concentrating on anything but work).
They tend to save $$$$ for a company, whether thats by restoring data from a dead drive, integrating an application make things run more efficiently, or finding a way so Sally in HR can update the Intranet site; after, at $8/hour her time is cheap.
These are just a few reasons why liency should be dealt; get them the couch and new 24″ wide screen LCD’s, afterall I’m sure it’s chump change compare to the work dollars saved.
March 12th, 2007 13:10
The title of this should be “How to deal with an INTP” and should be an advertisement for the Meyers-Briggs personality test. Check out:
http://www.personalitypage.com/INTP.html
In one way or another, you either addressed or illustrated a lot of the key personality traits, both positive and negative, for intp’s (many of whom, like myself, are geeks). Many smart employers do adminster the Meyers-Briggs test to learn how to get the most out of their employees. The knife cuts both ways, though. I’m sure there are a lot of things many geeks could learn about how other personality types operate. All personality types have strengths, and the most successful organizations (and individuals for that matter) know how to leverage all of them.
March 12th, 2007 13:19
[…] “thing they do” while they look forward to going home and relaxing. Geeks live what they do.read more | digg […]
March 12th, 2007 13:22
[…] Read This, You Lighting Nazi Bastards! A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happy #3. Let them control their lighting There is nothing more annoying than working in bright crappy […]
March 12th, 2007 13:37
#9 let them take chances and give them opportunities to work on stuff outside their “assigned” area. Being challenged with something new and intriguing keeps them happy. They will often surprise you with how much they can learn if they are given the chance. If they “want” to do something, they will usually do whatever it takes to accomplish the task even if they have never done anything like it before. It is insane what a geek can get done if given a challenge and a minor overdose of caffeine.
March 12th, 2007 13:40
[…] 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happy […]
March 12th, 2007 13:41
it feels oh so good to be appreciated. and work from home
March 12th, 2007 13:45
I totally agree with Sharif. Geeks need tea, coffee and becerages close at all times
March 12th, 2007 13:53
Amen Bro.
I especially like the root behind #4. It goes along, I think, with what I was trying to say here…in that you shouldn’t interrupt software folks as a rule…
March 12th, 2007 13:56
I agree completely until…it comes time to explain to the customer that you were unable to complete their project or website or fix their computer on time “because our Geeks decided they wanted to work another day” - sounds great in theory although in the real world the customer is what drives the schedule and expectations. Bill Gates became THE Geek by working late into the night and early every morning - AFTER he earned his success he hired people to handle many of those tasks yet still put in 10 hours a day…because of the customer
http://redmondmag.com/news/print.asp?EditorialsID=6502
Creating a society of people who feel more entitled than the next “because they are computer people” simply creates failure, disorganization and poor excuses for people who dont want to show up to work on time. I consider myself a ‘Geek’ and have a varied schedule now that I have spent the past 12 years working 100 hours a week so its viable…after it is earned.
March 12th, 2007 13:59
1) Why should geeks get “preferential” treatment?
Well, it is debatable that it is preferential as opposed to just plain smart, but let’s assume it is “preferential”. Here are some reasons:
a) Why did you hire them? For their geek skills. If anybody off the street could do what a geek does, then it wouldn’t be a geek skill.
b) You made an investment, get the most out of it. Most geeks are paid rather well, sometimes as much or more than the CEO of a small company, get your moneys worth.
c) Retention/attrition. Again, it takes time and effort for a geek to get up to speed on your systems/problem domain. Do you want to lose them because you think they should wear a tie, or be in the office at 8AM every morning? The job market has turned around since the dot-com bubble burst, and every geek knows it. One of the best ways to get a raise in our domain is to get another job.
2) Cross training. Yeah, okay - I have even asked for it a number of times. However, don’t make it a pointless exercise, have a clear and justifiable objective. I also pitch in and help when we are in a pinch, but no, I did not go to college and constantly train myself in new tech so I can empty the trash. BTDT, that’s one reason I went into this profession.
3) The “owner” may be the boss, but he/she doesn’t own me. Mistreat me and I will be gone so fast it will make your head spin. Neglect me and I will find someone who doesn’t fairly quickly. It is a two way street and right now I am in high demand, so yes, I can make my own demands. It is as simple as that.
March 12th, 2007 14:02
Get real - why do you think you should be treated different than anyone else just because you cant relate
March 12th, 2007 14:02
[…] A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happy […]
March 12th, 2007 14:15
I agree with all but #1. Some geeks have families and enjoy spending time with them. I love what I do for a living but if I had to do it 24/7 I would quickly go insane. I believe in closing the door to my home office at 5:30-6:00′ish and not thinking about work until the next day. (It’s all about balance, yo!)
March 12th, 2007 14:24
Geeks don’t work hard. They make love to their work. And they are very faithful. Watch what you give them.
March 12th, 2007 14:41
Dude, This is classic … Im putting it on my team board right now ..
March 12th, 2007 14:41
Ah! Thanks for bestowing your wisdom upon me. I have gained infinite knowledge to geekdom.
March 12th, 2007 15:07
spot on, good job.
March 12th, 2007 15:17
This could go for any potential workaholics, not just geeks (although, from my experience, this applies to geeks more than non-geeks). Any company that would let me do such things would be worth practically living there.
March 12th, 2007 15:37
I am married to a geek and for those of you who think they should not get “preferential treatment”, think again. If you’ve spent a considerable amount of time around introverted intellectuals, you know their brains work differently than those of most people. To get the most out of these individuals, considering their strengths and weaknesses is paramount. Depending upon what they do with their intellect, they may be very important to the industry they are in. We have “geeks” to thank for all of the important technological advancements, in science and medicine. Smart companies work around their intellectuals to best utilize their abilities rather than expect them to be like everyone else.
March 12th, 2007 15:37
I’ve been pretty lucky in being able to get into the office late and leaving late. There is just something about having to get out of bed by 6am to be somewhere that doesn’t work.. Getting up at 8-9 after going to bed between 0 & 6 seems to work a lot better…
I like wearing suites, you just look like a tool if everyone else isn’t up to spec… Though casual is good and why wear a suit if the people you see everyday are just internal people.
I don’t like company events or socialising, not because I can’t, its just that they don’t interest me in the same way they interest you. I’d rather be in front of a computer…
As someone mentioned on digg,
“call a geek when he’s on vacation…see how easily you can get ahold of them
call a normal person when they’re on vacation….and how hard it is to get ahold of them….and see how much grief they give you when calling them on vacation…”
So true, I don’t even have to be on holidays, my phone is on 24/7. Even while I’m in France, I’m only an email away, as someone I don’t even know (mutual association, knows I’m an IT guy etc) has found out.
March 12th, 2007 15:38
Google practice this. Did they?
March 12th, 2007 15:38
[…] Walton of Nomadisher came up with an excellent list of good practices employers should be doing to help the geek forces (except beer parties, that […]
March 12th, 2007 15:39
Another thing is to be open to challenges and suggestions in methods and procedures. Or at least hearing out the geek who may have an idea on how to work things faster, cleaner and more accessible.
Left a client who insisted on working old style and refused to open themselves up to standards compliance.
March 12th, 2007 16:02
You missed the big one: no distractions! You break the focus, you just cost me five minutes of refocus time before I can even pick up where I left off.
March 12th, 2007 16:05
Number 8 - Don’t hire such whiny assholes in the first place
March 12th, 2007 16:11
You could have saved your time by stating that some people work best if you let them do it their way. That’s got nothing to do with being geeky or wearing headphones in the first place. The important questions that you miss are:
A) how far can you let the individual needs disrupt a companies cooperation. There’s a limit to how much geekyness a company can take before it starts to fall apart.
B) how do you find out who’s geeky and will really contribute more efficiently if you let him do whatever he wants.
Best,
B.
March 12th, 2007 16:21
Awesome article. I agree with everypoint totally. If my ex-boss had seen this then he probably wouldn’t have layed me off. A lot of his reasons were from the article. I’d work crazy long hours and I had it set up that I could access everything remotely (doesn’t every geek) Anyways he had this ‘I had to be there warming a seat’ mentality. I have more powerful computers at home than I did at work, of course I wanted to work from home.
Now I hear they are struggling to stay afloat and they have no IT guy. hahahaha
March 12th, 2007 16:32
Uhm..
Geeks and nerds need to work HAPPILY. Not “happy”.
March 12th, 2007 16:40
Outfuckingstanding! I hate flourescent lights…. they give me big headaches. It should also be noted that if we are understaffed and I’m forced to work overtime, I expect to be compensated for it, or you can start finding a new geek.
March 12th, 2007 16:49
You nailed it! I work in IT and the only thing that makes my job livable is running with small lamps and leaving off the overhead lights due to headaches. Unfortunately, I have phone calls all day long killing my thought processes so I must work at night and weekends to actually do my job. Too many people won’t settle for an email reply, they insist on a phone call as if the answer will be different. I prefer to answer email 1 hour at the beginning and end of the day leaving me 7-8 hours of productivity but it never happens.
Anyone who thinks geeks don’t deserve preferential treatment is being spoiled right now somewhere by one and doesn’t realize it. its hard to sell anything without a geek building it in the first place!
March 12th, 2007 16:50
Interesting, I agree with the lighting 100% but not sure how this applies to geeks only.
Also, IM is fine and all, but good managers still need to give me some face time. Don’t expect someone on IM to be available and drop everything to talk to you right then, that’s what geezers don’t get. I don’t answer them all as they come in, it’s like email with the option for real-time interaction.
March 12th, 2007 16:59
I definitely wouldn’t say that geeks need preferential treatment concerning hours. I had a friend that worked for a company that was practically all geeks. They wrote custom code for people in a specialized industry. They need to work 8-5 for support reasons. Most of them still work outside that box, but 8-5 is what it is. In my own particular circumstance, I am a network admin. I try to keep to an 8 hour day as much as possible, but sometimes I can’t do that. But the point is when I’m not available 8-5 there is always a problem. For example, if I work 12 hours one day and 4 hours the next, and I’m not there when a system crashes or some other crisis comes up, it definitely plays negative on me. Although I am reachable by cell, email, IM, star trek communicator, etc, I’m still not present to take care of the issue if that is necessary. That means the person I’m suppose to be supporting is not able to do his tasks. As Mufasa would says “We are all connecting in the circle of life.”
March 12th, 2007 17:17
ahhh so very true
March 12th, 2007 17:23
I agree with all of your points, but like Will Nett said, I expect to be paid (or otherwise compensated) for any overtime that I work. I like doing what I do, but I would rather be drinking a beer on the beach somewhere. Luckily, the new company that I work for it really good about accommodating us (programmers).
March 12th, 2007 17:23
One of the important ones… never, EVER, raise your voice in anger to a worker geek. He WILL get revenge. That you can be sure of. Are you listening corporate America?
March 12th, 2007 17:27
“Preferential treatment”?
Unless you are an extremely small business it is -extremely- inefficient to have a “geek” taking out the trash. Contract someone for minimum wage to clean up after everyone.
If the suits are truly concerned about the bottom line, wake-up. A good manager ensures his people produce, eliminating inefficiencies wherever possible. The only time you need people to dress for business and work the 8-5 is when they are part of the corporate image and interface with the customer. If your geeks want to wear sweats and sit in a lazy-boy chair while working, they need to enter by the rear entrance, stay out of the “public” spaces, and be expected to “dress-up” for meetings.
You want an introverted intellectual to produce. Give them general goals, timelines, a few resources, and then LEAVE THEM ALONE. No management called meeting should last more than 15 minutes.
What is your current status? Do you expect to meet your schedule? What are your risks? Are there any resources you are lacking? Thank you, get back to it.
NOTE: If your geeks call for a meeting, be prepared to hear that the project has a SERIOUS problem, that they have stumbled across the next BIG thing, or that someone keeps finishing off the coffee without making more (or some other major irritant). No matter what, it is worth listening to because it provides a manager with an opportunity to deal with the problem, capitalize on the discovery, or make the geeks more efficient.
March 12th, 2007 17:34
[…] really interesting blog post on how to keep geeks happy at A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happy is well worth reading.The basic points are:Let them work when they wantLet them work where they […]
March 12th, 2007 17:36
[…] “thing they do” while they look forward to going home and relaxing. Geeks live what they do.read more | digg story […]
March 12th, 2007 17:41
[…] “8 Reasons to Let Geeks…” is a pretty interesting article. […]
March 12th, 2007 17:52
Well said, Justin… good stuff, and too often overlooked. I riffed on some of these themes at http://microship.com/resources/gonzo-engineering.html
Also, whilst suffering under the old-style buzzing fluorescents one day in a long-ago corporate office, I came up with an acronym that explains them:
Fiendish Lights, Uniformly Obnoxious Retina-Eating Soporific Cylinders of Evil, Noxious, Toxic Substances.
Cheers!
Steve
S/V Nomadness
Nomadic Research Labs
March 12th, 2007 17:54
I cant agree more. As somebody pushing their way into this field I would love if employers would understand that Im doing my job past the 8-5. I get home and read about new technologies, optimization, software glitches and fixes, updates - and almost anything that I might be interesting to me.
And I cant tell you how many distractions I’ve had to face while coding a website. There isnt a bigger setback than staring at your code trying to figure out why IE has one div 3px to the left and firefox is throwing it 2px to the right, and then getting a phone call on ‘visit’ for an update. It upsets my sitting position, breaks my concentration and focus, and I’ve also likely lost my place or forgot what value I just changed around to test. If only there were a way to let people know that you are ‘in the zone’ and wont be available until the problem is fixed or you’ve decided yourself to walk around and think about the issue.
March 12th, 2007 17:57
On geeks and suits:
HELL YEAH. Suits are simply ridiculous in many, many cases… especially mine. I work as a computer tech, and part of my job involves going into a PC’s guts. I MUST be the only tech in the entire office district to wear an equivalent of a suit (thank GOD they let me exclude the tie later on). MY OWN CLOTHES GETS IN THE WAY ALL THE TIME. You do NOT know how many buttons I’ve lost, or sleeves I’ve torn, just doing my job at work. The worst part is, they’re more expensive to replace than even a collared tee - and you have to do that if the suit’s trussed up enough. Dress code sucks, especially when you FORCE people to wear things that are simply incompatible with their scope.
Sure, techs could bring change of clothes, roll up sleeves etc etc. Well and good - IF you don’t mind your employees spending precious minutes getting their clothes out of the way first, then sprucing themselves up later.
Also, how many of you trust an engineer in a spanking clean suit?
March 12th, 2007 18:33
Awesome article. I totally agree on all of them, trackback with full response in my link.
March 12th, 2007 18:47
I disagree with number seven. We should be working towards making geeks BETTER communicators and BUILDING their social skills, not pandering to their social phobia or clumsiness.
The best companies I’ve worked in are the ones that make geeks feel appreciated AND makes them feel like “normal” people (rather than “Special” people) and part of a team. Treating them like some kind of eccentric robots only gives them an inflated ego at best, or at worst makes them feel alienated when things get rough from time to time.
It also just might make them better members of society, able to share their gifts rather than cling them to their chest in a holier-than-thou elitist fashion.
For the most part though, I agree with most of this article.
March 12th, 2007 18:53
On doing jobs other than work:
This is also quite true, but maybe you should put it another way. This isn’t just about simple things like taking out trash or going shopping for company stuff (heck, its time out of the office, why not?) - managers love to ASSUME things about someone’s level of expertise, and don’t believe that repairing/troubleshooting computers and programming is a completely different kettle of fish than, say, fixing a television set, changing a florescent tube, or finding the source of a power trip in the office. Often a geek is asked to stand in when an otherwise more competent electrician is not available - because it is assumed that they KNOW this stuff. While some of these tasks are easy to learn, making assumptions like this is dangerous - the geek could very well be a fish out of water.
March 12th, 2007 18:56
I can’t believe people are disagreeing with this one. You are fools! All of you. give your geeks whatever they want. If you insist on treating them like normal troglodyte workers then stop wasting your time. Close up shop, declare bankruptcy and shoot yourself. Just stop wasting my time!
March 12th, 2007 19:00
So-called “geeks” quite often are different. Psychologically different.
Many of their quirks are not quirks at all. They’re the result of genetic and concomitant behavioral differences from NTs — neurotypicals.
Many are highly functional aspies (asperger syndrome). Their aversion to small talk, ability to concentrate, to conceptualize with images, intraversion, mordent humor . . . are phenomenologically clustered (hence AS).
NTs are the vast, vast majority. Their ignorance no longer excuses their ‘get with the program’ work mentality. Aspies rule, NTs drool.
March 12th, 2007 19:09
So, geeks are crybabys and can’t handle real life? Wait a second, don’t lump all geeks with you’re constant crying.
Sounds like you just have a shitty job and a boss that doesn’t care. Work on your communication skills and get a better job instead of whining on the internet. On Digg, a geek site.
March 12th, 2007 19:33
[…] source […]
March 12th, 2007 19:50
Right on. This highlights one of the geek traits, our love of logic and purpose. Toeing the line is the opposite of those. Its only purpose is to make sure everyone knows they are neatly under thumb. Why geeks have an inherent dislike of corporate cultures, is because they only make sense from the alpha male social pecking order view. It’s not about efficiency, it’s about knowing that your place is directly under the Prez, VP, Division Head, whatever it may be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling for no accountability, but to make a geek wear a suit for no other purpose than to “toe the line” is ridiculous and counter-productive. You make a geek feel like he’s under thumb like that, more likely than not, you’ll be finding yourself a new geek. And the ones that do put up with things like that are often also the ones that aren’t so confident in themselves and their abilities, and therefore not as much as an asset as that faithful geek who would have plowed through your entire project with no guidance, if only you had let it go.
March 12th, 2007 20:08
[…] http://nomadishere.com/2007/03/12/a-note-to-employers-8-things-intelligent-people-geeks-and-nerds-ne… […]
March 12th, 2007 20:09
Actually, Jack, he was right. It’s “toe the line,” not “tow the line.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toe_the_line
March 12th, 2007 20:11
[…] Nomadishere : Seeker of Truth » Blog Archive » A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, G… […]
March 12th, 2007 20:17
Hmmm … I am a college professor and my work is, and always has been, just like these 8 things. We still grip all the time, but I can’t think of a better work environment.
March 12th, 2007 20:17
[…] that intelligent people, geeks, and nerds need to be able to work happily, and be productive: 8 things « So I haven’t slept […]
March 12th, 2007 20:20
8 Things Employers……
need to know about intelligent people.
#1. Let them work when they want
Geeks work almost every moment they are awake. They are online before they go to the office. They are home working after the office closes. They work weekends. They are even someti…
March 12th, 2007 20:35
[…] Ref. A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happily […]
March 12th, 2007 20:50
[…] There has been a lot of heated debate on digg and reddit today regarding the article I wrote this morning, A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happily. […]
March 12th, 2007 21:32
Should be refered to as geek guidelines cough ::best buy:: should follow…..no wonder I quit that turn on the crap place
March 12th, 2007 21:35
[…] by glen on 12 Mar 2007 at 09:34 pm | Tagged as: Yahoo!, Curiosity There’s a great article here on how to create a workplace that’s geek-friendly. Most of it is intuitively true, but a […]
March 12th, 2007 21:46
Awesome article. I also agree with the comments about the neeed to provide plenty of caffeine (and maybe easy access to Kung Pao Chicken). Oh, and fast computers & connections.
March 12th, 2007 21:50
So true!
March 12th, 2007 22:37
I agree with Tom .. no organisation functions on a ‘this ain’t my job’ attitude .. software companies who have a ‘high geek content’ .. one of which I am part .. are typically small organisations.. this makes them fun, challenging, informal and a hell of a lot better than turning up to work for 5 years to ‘focus’on the same thing day in day out cause your multi national organisation is stagnant..
only trade off is .. you wear a few hats.. Im in product mgt.. and today have done BA with a client, testing. .. helped a support query.. sat with the invoices guys .. viva la difference!
March 12th, 2007 23:10
I can fully relate to this. Nice work, and I sure hope this raises awareness to the different needs of a typical techie.
March 12th, 2007 23:10
You are DEAD ON with this. I also read that Google lets their employees spend 20% of their time working on their own side projects (I assume they remain property of Google, and are the source of many of their tools), which I think is a good idea. Geeks need to be allowed the time to explore, invent, or just to think.
Geeks DO deserve special treatment. They are the ones worrying about the business 24/7, and working marathon hours to keep things running smoothly. This list of 8 items is not much to ask in return.
March 12th, 2007 23:39
A Geek’s cubicle is his shrine, never tell a geek to tidy his cubicle.
March 13th, 2007 01:10
It’s 1999 all over again. Get over it and get back to work.
March 13th, 2007 01:59
That must be one of the most prententious, self-important blog posts I have ever read in my life. Geeks are not a desirable element in any serious venture. If anything, geeks should be forced to work like anybody else, for their own good. Because, let’s face the truth here, everybody is looking down on geeks, regardless of how brilliant they are or how much they make. Being on the internet before going to work is not cool.
People who don’t have a life outside their virtual reality will eventually become a big failure, and I argue that they will not work as good as normal people who can see the “bigger” picture that makes up the company’s business.
Geekdom is not something cool, no matter how much the media tries to feed you this “hype”. It’s more like a personal shortcoming.
March 13th, 2007 03:23
What about smoking? I know many geeks especially in IT who would not ba able to work without smoking. In my company the IT departement is the only place you can smoke. (Both the IT guys are smokers)
March 13th, 2007 03:43
Jack - EM’s spelling is correct. The origins of the expression “toe the line” are disputed, but the spelling is not - see the Wikipedia article for more detail.
March 13th, 2007 03:56
[…] The original article can be found here […]
March 13th, 2007 04:05
As luck would have it, geeks aren’t the most important people in the business process. Maybe IT people should stop posting all these articles and getting the rest of us labeled prima donnas.
March 13th, 2007 04:24
When did I become a geek, I find the term quite offensive.
There has to be a better/cooler name than that.
I can say I can spend upto 6 to 8 hours out side work hours updating my knowledge/working out solution I can apply the next day at work.
I believe I have most of those things listed above, except I prefer fizz to coffee/tea.
March 13th, 2007 06:10
[…] Memo to bosses: This is how Geeks want to work - I found this on Digg. I don’t think this just pertains to geeks, I think this work structure could be beneficial to all […]
March 13th, 2007 06:18
[…] This seems pretty straightforward. […]
March 13th, 2007 06:42
“If you work for someone, then work for them: Speak well of them and stand by the institution they represent…Remember, an ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness…If you must growl, condemn, and eternally find fault, resign your position and when you are on the outside, complain to your hearts content…but as long as you are a part of the institution do not condemn it.”
-Elbert Hubbard-
“When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it.”
-Bernard Bailey-
March 13th, 2007 06:46
well said, especially the very last one!
March 13th, 2007 07:17
[…] Mar 13th, 2007 by Ryan Lanham http://nomadishere.com/2007/03/12/a-note-to-employers-8-things-intelligent-people-geeks-and-nerds-ne… […]
March 13th, 2007 07:32
[…] Original Article posted courtesy Nomadishere. […]
March 13th, 2007 07:37
[…] Nomadishere.com bookmark:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web […]
March 13th, 2007 07:37
When I was a child, I was left handed, and very empathetic/creative. As I grew up and moved towards software, I developed Asperger’s Syndrome. I consider myself well adjusted. My wife is a more athletic NT (beach volleyball/kindergarten teacher), and I have a job targetted at troglodytes that I perform well. I’ve written programs that do much of the data integrity/manipulation for me.
I agree with #1-6, think there are many many others, and think that 7-8 are wrong.
I understand that I have certain social drawbacks, and try to overcome them. Being around other people with AS would probably help. There are alot of us, it’s just highly unlikely that we’ll ever socialize - so doing so at work would be great.
Giving us something else completely different to do - as long as it’s for a reason, and it’s not demeaning - can help bring us back to the real world when we get too focused and lose sight of things like other people.
I think there really does need to be a unique way of treating people that lean towards AS. We’re the talented (real) programmers, engineers and architects that create things better. There’s a twist on how we think, and like/dislike different things than others. If you accommodate us, you’ll keep us, and thus benefit from having talented programmers and/or engineers. Those people above who can’t handle someone being unique could only ever manage troglodytes - a cleaning staff for example. They’d ruin SNC Lavalin or Microsoft.
People are different. Get over it. Take advantage of strengths and weaknesses instead of denying they exist.
I just wish I could find a company that would work with me. I’m a software engineer with 37 languages under my belt, and I’ve written my own scripting engine among other things.
Sincerely,
Dan
March 13th, 2007 08:04
Forgot the most IMPORTANT one!!
A _realistic_ schedule!! We don’t care what marketing says — your product is NOT more important then our life. We live to code, not code to live.
March 13th, 2007 08:08
I object to the constant use of the words “geek” and “nerd”, and especially the distinction you draw between them and “intelligent people”. “Geek” and “nerd” are extremely derogatory and insulting terms. Why not use the proper terms, such as “programmer” or “systems analyst” or “technician” or “engineer”?
March 13th, 2007 08:11
[…] myself). As such, I’ve been fighting with certain aspects of my personality. I found a blog post that tells me that I’m not alone in how I approach […]
March 13th, 2007 08:15
bumpy - based on my definition a geek isn’t just a programmer or IT person, check it out:
http://nomadishere.com/2007/03/13/geeks-are-not-whiny-elitists-they-are-the-root-of-our-society/
March 13th, 2007 08:41
[…] foi reescrito a partir deste texto aqui, porém acrescido de algumas coisas e alterado em algumas partes. Espero que sirva pelo menos como […]
March 13th, 2007 09:12
[…] they do” while they look forward to going home and relaxing. Geeks live what they do.read more | digg […]
March 13th, 2007 10:00
I haven’t read what others have written, but I don’t think I need to, because what I see here more than an article is a very accurate description of my way of living and doing things. I thought I was a mess but now I see that it’s not a problem it’s just my geek nature. I’m from Dominican Republic and trust me geeks are about the same thing everywhere in the world.
Nomadishere awesome job. congratulations.
March 13th, 2007 11:12
[…] they look forward to going home and relaxing. Geeks live what they do. final fantasy screen saversread more | digg […]
March 13th, 2007 11:17
[…] Nomadishere : Seeker of Truth » Blog Archive » A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, G…: oh how true this is. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. […]
March 13th, 2007 12:14
nice pilferage of the original
March 13th, 2007 12:42
[…] leidsin Digg.com-i viite huumoriartiklile “A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happily“. […]
March 13th, 2007 12:49
[…] 8 cosas que la gente inteligente, los geeks y los nerds necesitan para trabajar felices - - De acuerdo en todas, si trabajas con geeks apuntalas. […]
March 13th, 2007 13:18
Hi Justin,
I found your blog when looking for people interested in workplace satisfaction and recognition. We’re a startup that’s building social networks for people who work at big companies to build their profile for co-workers to see, and recognize co-workers when they do a good job. Check out:
http://www.worksona.com
If you’re interested, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what we’re working on.
Thanks!
Justin
March 13th, 2007 13:40
[…] March 13th, 2007 Great post over at nomadishere… […]
March 13th, 2007 13:59
This is an awesome article. Thanks!
March 13th, 2007 15:47
8 Cosas que los geeks necesitan para trabajar felices…
Un artículo en ingles para los empleadores sobre como tratar a sus empleados si son geeks….
March 13th, 2007 16:19
[…] A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happily A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happily […]
March 13th, 2007 16:30
[…] Keep reading the article over at Nomadshere to see the rest of the list as well as the over 100 comments that have been left on the topic. […]
March 13th, 2007 16:35
Yup.
This describes my world nicely, well sort of. I’m one of the least technical people in my office and, unlike the folks more obviously labeled geeks, I’m forced to work in an irritatingly bright space and have a lot of those silly could-be-done-over email meetings…
This sort of thinking *isn’t* just for geeks, it’s for the rest of us skilled, office personnel who work hard and work well when given just a tiny bit of control over our environments.
March 13th, 2007 16:49
I never have been one to acknowledge steriotypes or label another human being, so I will not start now! I am not commenting on those mentioned here…I am commenting that if the working class could use their common sense to make guidelines to follow, I am sure it would put several college professionals with all their degrees to shame! I am dealing with an issue right now at work where the one in charge lets our peers be in supervision and discipline others while she sits tucked in her office playing card games on the computer. Her lame excuse is “if” she were to do it, it would go into the person’s personnel record…well, big whoop! In other words, take the law in your own hands……I am too busy playing!
March 13th, 2007 17:37
[…] on Nomadishere there is a list that Justin Walton put up about geeks, and working happy. His list is for the most […]
March 13th, 2007 17:46
[…] Walton of Nomadishere.com penned a blog post yesterday recommending eight things […]
March 13th, 2007 19:23
reply #41 The problem with our corporate culture is that does not foster productivity unless employees basic needs are met. Disfunctional behavior requires maintenance ie; pregnant women who perform above the norm, overachieving men with abnormal personal schedules; important contract companies with stringent cash flow needs, or any out of the blue occurence which cannot be attended to. As Jack Nicklaus used to to go over his fundamentals annually, so must it be that companies look at what is most important to maintain focus. M.
March 13th, 2007 19:52
[…] Rocha adaptou o excelente (com 2760 diggs) artigo de Nomadishere sobre o que os geeks - ou nerds, ou profissionais de TI, ou pessoas inteligentes
- precisam para […]
March 13th, 2007 19:55
[…] mais de um site citou a renata.org que postou uma adaptação deste texto. “Geeks, Nerds e pessoas inteligentes em geral trabalham não só pelo dinheiro, mas pelo […]
March 13th, 2007 21:02
[…] Read original post […]
March 13th, 2007 21:04
[…] 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happily […]
March 13th, 2007 21:06
[…] Northern Lights gCensus Global Warming from Sun? GoDaddy DDoS iPod HD Upgrade Galaxy Deception Geeks and Work! Crazy Picture iPhoto HD Pig MacBook Fire Round 3 DataTraveler Cool Faucet! Trekkie Apartment […]
March 13th, 2007 22:17
[…] Nomadishere : Seeker of Truth » Blog Archive » A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, G… […]
March 14th, 2007 02:10
[…] i found a blog post you might like here! […]
March 14th, 2007 02:44
[…] Nomadishere | Continue reading […]
March 14th, 2007 03:18
[…] note to employers: 8 things intelligent people, geeks and nerds need to work happily - There are many reasons to let geeks work the way they want to work. Today they work in every […]
March 14th, 2007 03:18
[…] Nomadishere : Seeker of Truth » Blog Archive » A Note To Employers: 8 Things Intelligent People, G… (tags: business blog geek culture) […]
March 14th, 2007 03:43
[…] This list popped up on Digg today, I have to say that I am in total agreement with most of the points along with the reasons behind them, 8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks and Nerds Need To Work Happily. […]
March 14th, 2007 04:09
[…] read more | digg story […]
March 14th, 2007 06:00
Looks like we have a pile of peole here that are all self richeous and do not want to follow direction. There are bosses and upper management for a reason.
March 14th, 2007 06:29
[…] eight things intelligent people, geeks and nerds need to work happily should be required reading for anyone who manages web staff. Some of the rules apply also to […]
March 14th, 2007 07:16
[…] they look forward to going home and relaxing. Geeks live what they do. wonder woman supergirl nakedread more | digg […]
March 14th, 2007 07:26
[…] A note to employers . […]
March 14th, 2007 09:07
HAHAHA - This describes me 100%. My boss was even the one that emailed me this link. LOL
March 14th, 2007 09:15
[…] I read this excellent article today about how to keep “geeks” in the office happy LINK […]
March 14th, 2007 10:09
Great article, applies to botanical garden Operations Manager in Bim too.
March 14th, 2007 10:21
#130: “There are bosses and upper management for a reason”
Uh… to control the troglodytes that would otherwise sit there playing solitaire? For example Diane’s boss from #116.
Well adjusted, motivated people who actually enjoy their work don’t need a boss and usually find them annoying and stifling. They need leadership, but that often happens on the fly better than pre-assigned - and most of the bosses I’ve met didn’t have anything beyond average off-the-street leadership skills.
My opinion is that there are bosses because the people in charge are bosses. Like a self-perpetuating parasitic role. I’ll consider it symbiotic when I encounter one with the unusual attribute of usefulness.
Sincerely,
Dan
March 14th, 2007 11:07
[…] Link to the 8 tips […]
March 14th, 2007 12:46
[…] de leer un artículo que me paso un amigo. Y bueno, creo que me declaro un GEEK integro. http://nomadishere.com/2007/03/12/a-note-to-employers-8-things-intelligent-people-geeks-and-nerds-ne… Que se relaman con esta genialidad.5:40 PMAdd a commentPermalink Report […]
March 14th, 2007 14:10
What are you guys? 12 years old?
Grow up and quit this self righteous whining. You are not more or less important than anyone else in an organization.
If you don’t like the rules where you are, leave the company. Or start your own. I’m sure they will be able to find someone else willing to fix the email server on a Friday night.
March 14th, 2007 14:35
[…] 8 things intelligent people, geeks, and nerds need to work happy […]
March 14th, 2007 16:01
Dicas para tratar bem um nerd no trabalho…
Li um artigo bem legal sobre coisas que desagradam nerds, geeks e pessoas inteligentes no ambiente de trabalho. Fiz uma adaptação dele para minha realidade, baseado na minha experiência pessoal.
Geeks não têm horário - Em geral, geeks trabalham …
March 15th, 2007 01:06
[…] while they look forward to going home and relaxing. Geeks live what they do. cartoon batgirl hentairead more | digg […]
March 15th, 2007 03:33
[…] http://nomadishere.com/2007/03/12/a-note-to-employers-8-things-intelligent-people-geeks-and-nerds-ne… […]
March 15th, 2007 07:14
How about
#9. Geeks do not like to be segmented and labeled and assigned stereotypical characteristics by bloggers.
March 15th, 2007 07:38
[…] else to see. So now we come to this week. On Monday, my buddy and partner Justin Walton, wrote an article that received quite a lot of attention on Digg. Being as we talk via im constantly throughout the […]
March 15th, 2007 07:55
[…] blog Nomadishere publicou um post com as oito coisas que todo geek, nerd ou pessoa criativa precisa pra produzir […]
March 15th, 2007 08:42
#9 Don’t take credit for their work. They will not take it lying down and will quit and find a job that pays better money and doesn’t have a scumbag for a boss.
March 15th, 2007 09:58
[…] work like them, and we don’t get paid like them. So, seriously, read the insanely widespread “8 Things Intelligent People, Geeks, and Nerds Need to Work Happily” post from Nomadishere with a good sized grain of salt. While flexibility and lifestyle […]
March 15th, 2007 11:54
[…] que pessoas inteligentes, geeks e nerds precisam para trabalhar feliz. A Renata traduziu e adaptou esta matéria ao contexto atual dos funcionários de TI, expôs suas idéias e acrescentou mais […]
March 15th, 2007 12:49
[…] o post do Normandishe, que ficou muito melhor na tradução e complementação da Renata fez tanto sucesso? Em 3 dias, […]
March 15th, 2007 17:14
[…] um link para esse post da minha namorada, na verdade era um já em português que referenciava ao original em inglês, achei o post tão interessante e tão verdadeiro que como geek que sou não pude […]
March 15th, 2007 18:07
[…] really wanted to send this article to my boss, but I don’t think she would buy it… My request for a crazy urinal was also […]
March 16th, 2007 09:20
@Jochen Marmanns
LMAO! Imagine if Bill gates would have done that. LMAO! tool.
March 16th, 2007 09:43
[…] Nomadishere Filed under: Yo Soy […]
March 16th, 2007 11:15
[…] Nomadishere had this awesome post (lots diggs and comments) with 8 “rules” to keep geeks happy and a follow up that he didn’t mean to say geeks are elitists: #1. Let them work when they want […]
March 16th, 2007 12:16
[…] told I would no longer be able to work flexible hours, I found was going through reddit and found a blog post about how work conditions can affect effectivity of non-conventional thinkers. The article in […]
March 16th, 2007 12:42
The beatings will continue until company morale improves…
The corporate world is a fickle mistress. One minute you’re living the high-life and the next you get knocked on the head with the iron fist.
When I first moved from doing customer service/moderating to my current role, my greatest worry was…
March 16th, 2007 15:18