IT Psychologist?

I would like to share this wonderful story from NPR today:


A Good IT Person Needs to be Half Technologist and Half Psychologist



This is a message that I have been sharing with my students for a long time now.  While the pop culture image of the IT professional has persisted as the prima donna loner who cannot get a date, the reality is that business owners like money.  Arrogant, abusive employees do not make their bosses money.  Courteous, kind and responsible ones do and are rewarded in kind.

I also appreciate the second point the writer makes about Harold Mann, Co-Founder of Mann Consulting in San Francisco.  He talks about the trust that customers must have with their IT staff.  Especially when dealing with younger students, I often tell them, "Just because you can, does not mean that you should."  As an IT professional, I simply do not have the time to randomly browse customer's personal files, nor play silly tricks on them, just to prove how smart and powerful I am.  I am secure in my knowledge and skills as a professional and I live and die by my reputation.  Your silly insecurities do not interest me enough to put that at risk.


I also recommend visiting Mann's Blog for more insights about being an IT professional.