Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
1–10 of 54 posts
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#2There was a related discussion a few days ago:
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#3>It amazes me how often ‘how to be happy’ pieces do well on Hacker News. I think delving into the notion that the more time we spend behind our computers, the less fulfilled we might feel in life overall [is a question worth asking].”
I think unhappy people procrastinate more, vote more. The average vote is not given by the average reader, but one more depressed than average.
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#4OT: This page instantly kills my Android browser...
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#5>It amazes me how often ‘how to be happy’ pieces do well on Hacker News. I think delving into the notion that the more time we spend behind our computers, the less fulfilled we might feel in life overall [is a question worth asking].” I think unhappy people procrastinate more, vote more. The average vote is not given by the average reader, but one more depressed than average.
Yep. That's why book selling ranks started to separate in self help and fiction categories. Otherwise there will ever be self help on the top chats.
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#6If you are an engineering manager, you can see huge gains in team satisfaction and productivity if you are cognizant of issues like this.
My suggestion is to take the time to understand each member of your team, then create various interactions that can foster teamwork, satisfaction, etc. This can include:
+ Lunches or dinners - Going out to a restaurant together can give your team a reprieve from the stresses of work, while strengthening bonds. This tends to work best with extroverts. Dinners work best for singles and lunches work best for people with families (who may have to go home to a spouse and kids).
+ Movies - If there's a movie that most of your team wants to see, treat them. This may give introverts a more comfortable setting, since not everyone likes team lunches & dinners. I sometimes reserved a dark conference room and played episodes of Futurama (or some other TV show my team wanted to watch) during lunch, which worked just as well.
+ Outings, activities - Not everyone may enjoy a particular activity, like a hike or indoor rock climbing gym. But you can offer various activities to your team as opportunities to get to know one another. Don't make those who cannot or do not want to get involved feel ostracized, however. Make these optional events.
+ Code reviews, paired programming, tech talks, hackathons - These exercises not only strengthen the skills of your team, but improve team bonding as well. And chances are, all of your developers want to improve their own skills, so any chance to do that is a good thing.
+ One-on-ones - Sit down with each team member and have a chat with her/him. This is not easy for every engineering manager, as it requires skills in listening, empathy, conflict resolution, etc. The goal here is to truly listen. If something is bothering your developer, chances are you'll be able to pick it up here, giving you a chance to resolve it before it becomes a major issue. I've had developers tell me they felt like these chats were therapy sessions, though I did my best not to make it feel so clinical (in some cases, these chats were over coffee, ping pong, a walk, etc). The point is, listen.
There are many more that I've forgotten and I'm sure you've done (and please do share!)
I never had a problem with attrition by employing tactics like these. And I don't mean to imply that no one on my team had depression - I am not a licensed therapist and make no claims that I can diagnosis this condition. My point is just that engineering managers who actively cultivate a supportive environment may reduce the likelihood of depression and foster greater satisfaction and productivity.
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#7I think the issue is more that we have a skill that powers the world, but 95% of us are just business subordinates-- not professionals like doctors or professors, not even unionized-- and the 5% who have good jobs at any given time still live under the threat of an unforeseen issue (AI winter, financial crash wiping out the quant jobs, age discrimination, "Series A crunches") putting them back into the EnterpriseJavaDrone purgatory.
It's not "isolation". The software industry is a very depressing place. The pay (while not great) is solidly OK, but the status is low and the job security's abysmal.
Most software engineers have a skill that can do so much and end up having to use it to do so little.
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#8> “Even introverts are happier when they are around people they like,”
Agreed. I don't mind spending time alone, but I love being around people I like. Usually others with a common interest. (And no, it doesn't have to be tech related. Horse people and swimmers are a lot of fun.)
Extroverts sometimes talk about themselves. A lot. Not that interesting :)
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#9I think the issue is more that we have a skill that powers the world, but 95% of us are just business subordinates-- not professionals like doctors or professors, not even unionized-- and the 5% who have good jobs at any given time still live under the threat of an unforeseen issue (AI winter, financial crash wiping out the quant jobs, age discrimination, "Series A crunches") putting them back into the EnterpriseJava…
Will also add that (for lack of a better way to put it and sorry if this offends) "penis envy".
That is reading about the money that is made by others and their success and also seeing how others in the group react to that success with generally fawning reverence. With, as you have said, no particular reinforcement (by peers, friends and family or neighbors) for anything in particular that you do day to day.
Re: Developer depression: Isolation is the biggest problem (2012)
#10"is your facebook a lie?" It resonates strangely to me, one friend told me my facebook statuses where really negative and that my fb friends were tired of it. Somehow, I guess you are contextually expected to lie anyways.