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The Middle

Just read the book "Team Geek" (amazon) today and I would highly suggest reading it.  It's short, to the point and covers almost all aspects of development teams and the issues therein.

It's a great book.  It does not mince words on problem staff, management (good and bad) and the multitude of issues that we have all been exposed to in our careers.   The good and the bad.

Where Buddhism is about understanding oneself and making changes based on this understanding, this book covers the other side of the coin, working with others, problem staff, management anti-patterns and culture.  I can't say enough good about this book.

The only comment I do have is the section on the physical working environment.  There are workgroups on one end and offices on the other.  I understand the flow of communication with workgroups but the interruption and lack of a personal workspace can effect a number of people.  This is somewhat covered by the common use of headphones (me included) to isolate ourselves and focus but this is only of limited benefit and does not address the work space.  It only take one very messy (hoarder even) employee from encroaching on others personal workspace.  Hey, this is why marriages don't work!  With many of us seeing our fellow staff member more than our spouses, this is an important topic.

But other than my above comments, the book is the best book I've found on the subject.  No fluff, no theory, just in your face information and behaviors.

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