[bsaunder]

Hi Fred,

This is a challenging post, you seem to be getting knocked around with it quite a bit here. Hang in there. As you point out in your since published comment, treat this (and all your vignettes) as a learning experience. To help start you on your path for this post, I'll offer my 2 cents.

First, try to write posts with positive messages (this one has an overwhelmingly negative tone despite your intentions). Perhaps recast the examples as learning experience. Think long and hard about the situations you describe and try to learn something. Then write a post on what you learned. Life's hard. Help others learn from your interactions (and learn yourself).

Second, keep your issues to the real ones. It's okay to make a long list like this in a brainstorming session while a post is in the early draft stage, but try to trim down the stories to a handful of substantive ones (each with a lesson and reason for being there).

In general, it seems you've been in some stressful situations (for yourself and others). People (even the most vaulted professionals) get cranky when things aren't going well - by whatever definition of well is for the context).

You do seem to believe that transparency is a fundamental right. Its not. Noble, sure, but not ubiquitous or even always a good thing. Many times management will shield their reports from the disaster unfolding above them. Some times this is a good thing. It might be very distracting if everyone had perfect knowledge. I find its very important to have a good working relationship with your manager. Understand what motivates them and deliver on the tasks you are asked to (things can get messy when you "help" others (especially at the expense of your assigned tasks)).

Much more to say, but I need to go deliver on some of my tasks now. Hang in there. Good luck. Write a second post with a positive spin on the major things you learned from this one.

[fredwu]

Hi bsaunder, thank you so much for the advice and encouragement!

Yep I can see why the negative tone is very off-putting to many people. Had I have a chance to do over I'd definitely do what you've suggested here and tackle it from the positive / lessons-learnt point of view. :)

Many thanks! :)

[humanrebar]

> You do seem to believe that transparency is a fundamental right. Its not.

I wouldn't frame the issue in terms of rights, but management that hides relevant information is fundamentally dishonest and disrespectful. I wouldn't call it criminally fraudulent necessarily, but it's in the same spirit, though perhaps in a more grey area.

[jimbokun]

You offer valid criticisms, but I would say over all this post generated a lot of impassioned discussion and seems to have struck a nerve with a lot of developers, whether they agree or disagree.

Which is not necessarily a bad outcome for a piece of writing.

[tamana]

Heat and light are both energy, but not equally valuable in every situation. Whipping people into a frenzy is highly effective for some end, but not worthy.

[jimbokun]

True, but I personally believe this discussion has been largely constructive and useful. Communicating while being accurate, authoritative, professional, and not unnecessarily combative or personal is a hugely important skill for developers, and the examples presented were a great springboard for discussing the topic.

[tamana]

The transparency part is dangerous thinking. Management isn't perfect, low-ranked people are not clueless cogs, and sunlight is a great disinfected. Trust matters, and secrecy hurts trust.