[stcredzero]

Be real with yourself: Cleverness is a finite resource, even yours. Leverage it in the most efficient way possible.

(So alpha-geek pissing matches are clearly a waste. Everything should be focused towards furthering your company's goals while avoiding bugs and making refactoring easier.)

[dman]

It takes all kinds. The world would be a duller place if all of us were chasing current goals.

[stcredzero]

Note: I never said "current." 2nd and 3rd order goals are fine and sometimes require cleverness.

[dman]

Alpha geek matches are often about people arriving at problems that are not widely realised.

[stcredzero]

We are vehemently agreeing here, seemingly in part to defend the good name of alpha geeks everywhere. Alpha-geek behavior isn't going to go away. It's such a potent force, a company better damned well harness it for its own good. Otherwise, it's like a rocket without a dependable guidance system. To neglect this is to court disaster.

(Even better, an Alpha Geek better damned well harness it for her/his own enlightened self interest, or I won't work with them.)

(Or, did you just want me to say that Alpha Geeks are all just like saints? They often wish they were kensei.)

[dman]

I think we are in agreement - the part about good companies finding a way to tap alpha geek energy rings very true.

[6ren]

Similar: Don't waste working memory.

[svdad]

God I wish that attitude were more common.