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Comment by NonEUCitizen | Hacker News Reader

Once you've removed managers, there aren't many non-productive people left to fire.

If only this were true. And yes, it's cutely naive and tunnel-visioned to think so. However, I've been in teams where the drag on the ticket was very much a developer. When that happens, you need processes and experienced people in place to fairly manage their performance, help them into contributing more effectively, and if they don't improve, get rid of them.

A gaggle of developers are not going to be able to do this. Hell, 50% don't even have the social skills to say hello to each other in the morning.

Or...you could very carefully hire the right people in the first place, people that are motivated to work on their own and believe in the mission of the company, and would be doing the same thing regardless.

Vetting hires for temperament and internal qualities as well as skills makes this much more possible.

^^^ BINGO

Sounds like the recipe for a monoculture. And people wonder why the Valley gets stick for being exclusive.

> you need processes and experienced people in place to fairly manage their performance, help them into contributing more effectively

That is only true if you hire folks that aren't self-motivated, driven and talented.

No it's not. You're being reductive. Even self-motivated, driven, talented people have shit happen in their lives that can effect their performance and capability at work. Then they will require both formal and informal support from their company, which has a duty of care.

This nirvana of extreme self-motivation at all costs you seem to espouse is not a reality for most people on the planet. It is most likely a privilege.

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