[sublinear]

> Civilian leaders have to actually balance keeping people happy and getting things done.

I disagree. There are plenty of workers who don't respond productively to being treated well. Many take advantage and play games to avoid work. Being nice doesn't change anything.

What gets things done is spelling everything out. All roles and responsibilities are crystal clear. Commitment to agreed upon schedules and plans is required. Only then can people be genuinely happy with their team. Leave the sentiments and emotion out of it. Fairness and transparency are the way. Anything less creates an environment of toxic positivity and stupid power struggles.

[watwut]

Schedules and plans in software engineering bring neither clearness nor happiness.

[sublinear]

Damn I also disagree with this.

Schedules are more than deadlines. As long as progress is being made and what's being delivered stays on a similar timeline with other dependent projects, it's fine.

Plans are more than implementation details. If the solution meets requirements, it's fine.