Why do we have so many non-technical stsms and DEs? Who lets these guys go up the technical ladder with so little knowledge and so disconnected from the reality of today's technology? Is it mostly a political game?
Don't get me wrong, there are some that are very good, but a significant number of them would never be hired by our competitors, not even for junior roles.
Can confirm.
My manager is an id--t. C&CS.
As is my VP
Id--ts
Become
Managers
If you can’t do the real work you become a manager or lead.
This is especially true at the PM level. Sad state
This is newspeak.
Technical leader is not technical.
Leadership is not leading.
Obey.
Now get back to work. And get your shot.
The OP asks why so many tech leaders are unqualified (being non-tech.)
I'd like to answer that with a question? Why are so many IBM Execs unqualified?
Because IBM is no longer a technical company. They're all about the financials.
Best a-s lickers and cunnilingists. They spare nothing.
By keeping the racks filled with non-technical types, the executive team can kid itself into thinking it’s still a company that matters.
My favorite example from the past year (and there are many) was one “senior” person who was convinced the US government was funding a tiny startup that would 3D print transistors for future chips. Oh hey btw, can you explain this basic 101 concept? Hahaha
The lack of any technical understanding of the modern market or the actual capabilities required to complete is hilariously sad.
fixing broken products is 100% spot on<<
They hoodwinked clients big time.
Buy our automation tools, they actually work now! (could've fooled me)
Most work is still manual effort and the billing hours are insane.
You guys seem to have a wildly different experience of DEs and STSMs, let alone B9 and B10, from mine. Well, apart from one guy in Cloud who was not so much useless as determinedly unhelpful. (I'm in Systems, used to be in Rational).
I've contributed to several STSM and DE "packages", and all of them for people who are very clearly technically qualified.
There's a badge and certificate for that too
Because boot licking and azz kissing is a career path at IBM
It’s not their fault. IBM sucks the life out of you doing manual work trying to fix broken products so they don’t have any time to learn real technology from other companies. Their only fault is not leaving IBM.
To be fair, most of these people used to know stuff when they became 9 or 10, but just like everyone else no matter what band, staying here at IBM means you will not be able to keep up with current knowledge.
Yes, once you're b9 or 10 none of the technical stuff you do matters. Only political games matter.
Also, ibm is no longer a tech company. They don't have any competitive products in market for a reason.