Tony quotes Tom DeMarco. I would like to be able to say that crafting the right team is always my main priority, but I would be lying. I have found that the software manager’s other role of interfacing with the customer is considered to have equal importance and in some cases is given more priority than looking after your own staff. The administrative tasks that need to be completed are sometimes given priority over the people on the team. And of course there is all the time spent trying to do the team’s job for them – writing software is not management.

Why do I spend time doing the wrong things? Looking after people is difficult. Filling in forms, organising meetings and working with databases are safe activities that I understand.