Managing Humans
by Michael Lopp · first published 2007
84% recommend16% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Humorous essays on managing software teams, drawn from the Rands in Repose blog. Covers people skills, 1-1s, feedback and org navigation; suits new engineering managers and developers curious about management.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The humor and insights in the 2nd Edition of <em>Managing Humans</em> are drawn from <strong>Michael Lopp's</strong> management experiences at Apple, Netscape, Symantec, and Borland, among others. This book is full of stories based on companies in the Silicon Valley where people have been known to yell at each other and occasionally throw chairs. It is a place full of dysfunctional bright people who are in an incredible hurry to find the next big thing so they can strike it rich and then do it all over again. Among these people are managers, a strange breed of people who, through a mystical or
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2017–2026The Manager's Path
Camille Fournier
Recommended by 89 · mentioned by 10789 recommend · 107 mention89 recommend · 10789 recommend
2019–2025The Making of a Manager
Julie Zhuo
Recommended by 14 · mentioned by 1514 recommend · 15 mention14 recommend · 1514 recommend
2012–2025The First 90 Days
Michael D. Watkins
Recommended by 20 · mentioned by 2120 recommend · 21 mention20 recommend · 2120 recommend
2008–2025Becoming a technical leader
Gerald M. Weinberg
Recommended by 28 · mentioned by 3028 recommend · 30 mention28 recommend · 3028 recommend
2008–2023Behind Closed Doors
Johanna Rothman, Esther Derby
Recommended by 6 · mentioned by 86 recommend · 8 mention6 recommend · 86 recommend
2009–2026High Output Management
Andrew S. Grove
Recommended by 116 · mentioned by 161116 recommend · 161 mention116 recommend · 161116 recommend
Management 3. 0
Jurgen Appelo
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
2015–2026Radical Candor
Kim Malone Scott
Recommended by 53 · mentioned by 7453 recommend · 74 mention53 recommend · 7453 recommend
…over-scheduled." Tom DeMarco also previously co-wrote "Peopleware: Productive Projects and Team", another excellent book on software management. Another informative and funny book in that area is by Michael Lopp: "Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager" Bottom line: you have essentially switched to a new field even if computers are still involved so you need time for self-education and practice…
on “Interviews with developers who became managers” ↗Couple recommendations that are popular with people who've been managing for a while: - Managing Humans by Michael Lopp - The Managers Path by Camille Fournier - Radical Candor by Kim Scott I think the netflix culture deck is also helpful: https://igormroz.com/documents/netflix_culture.pdf And if you…
on “Ask HN: Going from Developer to Manager. What should I know or learn?” ↗Nice read. I can also strongly recommend Rands (Michael Lopp) who has a great blog https://randsinrepose.com/ and wrote "Managing Humans" - an amazing book on the subject
on “Common Mistakes of New Engineering Managers” ↗…like/hate doing, what they are good/poor at, where their blindspots are, what the right next step should be for them. Getting good at this will make you into a superhuman zen master of a manager. 8)Read "Managing Humans". It's fun and you'll find it helpful, and I consider Rands (Michael Lopp) to be a friend so you'll be giving him a small royalty. 9)Get really good at interviewing and learn from your hiring mistakes.…
on “Ask HN: How to Be a Decent Manager?” ↗…required reading for product management Peopleware (http://www.amazon.com/Peopleware-Productive-Projects-Teams-S...) - Great read on managing and understanding people as it relates to organizations Managing Humans (http://www.amazon.com/Managing-Humans-Humorous-Software-Engi...) - Obviously on management, you can read much on this http://randsinrepose.com/, though the book does a great job of consolidating it
on “Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read” ↗…have a manager who is just not around enough. For new managers, I always suggest the following resources as a great starting point: - "Team Geek": http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920018025.do - "Managing Humans": http://www.amazon.com/Managing-Humans-Humorous-Software-Engi... - Manager Tools podcast: https://www.manager-tools.com
on “Management things I learned at Imgur” ↗…you (so don't forget, cancel them etc). They can be tough conversations, but rewarding on both sides. If you are leading a team of devs at the very least read these 2 books:- https://www.amazon.ca/Managing-Humans-Humorous-Software-Engi... https://www.amazon.com/Managers-Path-Leaders-Navigating-Grow...
on “Ask HN: As a first time manager, how do I play office politics right?” ↗Goodreads:- 'Debugging Teams' - http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920042372.do 'Managing Humans' - https://www.amazon.ca/Managing-Humans-Humorous-Software-Engi...
on “Ask HN: Resources for transitioning from development to management?” ↗…Management, Andy Grove (former CEO of Intel). One of several great management books that help clarify "what management is and is not". And if you have never read anything in the genre, I'd start with Managing Humans, by Michael Lopp (randsinrepose.com). Life-changing for me when I was trying to figure out the same thing, before I started doing it myself.
on “One-on-one meetings are underrated, whereas group meetings waste time” ↗I admit I haven't read many books on the subject but Managing Humans is the only one that was interesting/entertaining enough for me to recommend to anyone.
on “A reading list for new engineering managers” ↗I recommend "Managing Humans" by Michael Lopp aka "Rands". https://randsinrepose.com/ It's a bit tongue in cheek rather than "management theory" but no less worthwhile for it.
on “Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?” ↗* read (all or at least the top 3): - Death March - Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams - The Mythical Man Month - Growing Software: Proven Strategies for Managing Software Engineers - Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager * consider getting PMI certified (PMP): https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/de/offers/pmi-certificat... - technical tools for planning -…
on “Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?” ↗I suggest "Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams" by Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister, as well as "Managing Humans" by Michael Lopp (or read his blog Rands in Repose, full of thoughtful geek-oriented essays on managing software teams and navigating organizations)
on “Hacker turned manager?” ↗…lackey you can tell they're "allowed" to sleep in an extra hour in the morning, if they absolutely need it. Read what the top-rated comments here say, then read them again. Then read Michael Lopp's book "Managing Humans". Luckily for you, you asked his question in the right place. You're getting real advice here that you absolutely need to take to heart if you want to avoid a whole raft of problems and probable failure.…
on “ASK HN: How do you motivate a lazy co-founder?” ↗I've read Managing Humans (his first book). If you like the writing style from his blog posts, then you can expect more of the same. It's a good read, though perhaps a little abstract. If you're looking for a step-by-step guide…
on “Rands in Repose: How to Run a 1:1” ↗