Effective Management:Effective Management:Getting the Best from Your TeamGetting the Best from Your Team

Pete IsenseePrincipal Program ManagerXbox Platform Team

About MeAbout Me

Development FailuresDevelopment FailuresOf 500 real world development efforts•15% cancelled or abortedOf those that lasted 25+ work-years•25% failed to complete

For the overwhelming majority, there was not a single technological issue to explain the failure.

– DeMarco and Lister, Peopleware

Key TakeawayKey Takeaway

Pop QuizPop Quiz• Who has a sociology degree?• Who took management classes in school?• Who has a manager mentor?• Who has read any books on management?• Who has been to a manager training class?

Recipe for SuccessRecipe for Success• Hire the best• Motivate and inspire• Turn them loose• Give feedback• Manage underperformers

HiringHiring• Use your network• Need: smart & productive• Examine portfolios• Involve the team• Compare notes• Make a decision

Effective hiring managers never settle for “good enough”

Key TakeawayKey Takeaway

Recipe for SuccessRecipe for Success• Hire the best• Motivate and inspire• Turn them loose• Give feedback• Manage underperformers

Trust CycleTrust Cycle

Motivational TacticsMotivational Tactics• Be real• Think long term• Celebrate progress• Try something new• Foster l’esprit de corps• Maximize the workspace• The trivial and the silly are neither

Team ChemistryTeam Chemistry• Build a cult of quality• Cultivate a sense of eliteness• Encourage diversity• Foster employee connections• Give strategic, not tactical, advice

Key TakeawayKey Takeaway

Recipe for SuccessRecipe for Success• Hire the best• Motivate and inspire• Turn them loose• Give feedback• Manage underperformers

6Ps: Setting Course6Ps: Setting Course• Premise

• Purpose

• Principles• Priorities• Plan• People

6Ps: Example6Ps: Example• Premise: The game engine keeps crashing

• Purpose: Improve the quality of the engine

• Principles: Invest for the future, minimize content changes, evaluate multiple options

• Priorities: Quality, efficiency, readability, …• Plan: Investigate middleware, hire consultant, …• People: …

Cut LooseCut Loose• Trust the team• Foster work/life balance• Don’t waste the team’s

time• Build consensus

Manage ChangeManage Change• Improvements

involve change• Fundamental

response to change: emotional

• Celebrate the status quo first

Key TakeawayKey Takeaway

Recipe for SuccessRecipe for Success• Hire the best• Motivate and inspire• Turn them loose• Give feedback• Manage underperformers

I’m ListeningI’m Listening• Give feedback• Shortly before or after behavior• Start with what you like• Talk about ways to improve

• Receive feedback• Ask for feedback• Listen• Two valid responses: “Thanks” and “Go on”

Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways

Recipe for SuccessRecipe for Success• Hire the best• Motivate and inspire• Turn them loose• Give feedback• Manage underperformers

Failure is Not an OptionFailure is Not an Option• Match skillset to the work• Don’t delay• Pave the way• Coordinate with mgmt, HR, legal• Your team will thank you

Key TakeawaysKey Takeaways

General People Mgmt TacticsGeneral People Mgmt Tactics• Use Different Communication Modes• Get People Alone• Get People Together• Hunt People Down• Hide/Work Offsite• Grant Authority• Get Advice• Go on Walkabout• Call in Favors• Stack the Deck• Buy People Coffee/Donuts

Remember the RecipeRemember the Recipe• Hire the best• Motivate and inspire• Turn them loose• Give feedback• Manage underperformers

Takeaways for Effective ManagersTakeaways for Effective Managers

ResourcesResources• Email: pkisensee@msn.com• Website: tantalon.com• DeMarco & Lister: Peopleware• Spolsky: Guerilla Guide to Interviewing (web)• Berkun: Making Things Happen• Brechner: Hard Code