Why Are IT Managers Perceived as Rude?

Many individuals perceive IT managers as rude, but is this perception justified? Often, the rudeness is not intentional and can stem from a combination of factors including long working hours, repetitive questioning, and a lack of management training. However, there is a deeper issue that needs addressing – the challenges and unique pressures faced by IT managers.

The Peter Principle and Business Understanding of IT

Two primary reasons for the perception of IT managers as rude can be attributed to the Peter Principle and the business's lack of understanding of IT's value. The Peter Principle suggests that individuals are promoted based on their current performance until they reach a level at which they are no longer effective. This means that many IT managers have been promoted from skilled engineers or developers without receiving the necessary management training. Essential soft skills such as navigating political environments, project management, and building strong relationships are often lacking.

Challenges in IT Management

Managing an IT department presents unique challenges that can be more difficult than managing other departments. IT is frequently seen as an expense rather than an asset, leading to the belief that IT management is failing if there are any technical issues. However, the department’s success often goes unnoticed because the website or system remains functional without significant outages or incidents. Due to this, IT management often fails to adequately self-promote their successes and build strong relationships with other business units, which can further contribute to their perception as rude.

The relationship between IT and the rest of the business is often strained, characterized by contempt. This can lead IT managers to adopt similar attitudes or struggle to communicate the value they bring. Depending on how they came to occupy their management roles, their behavior can be influenced by a lack of soft skills and political acumen.

Recruitment Practices and Professionals’ Cycle

The recruitment process for IT managers often involves a cycle where existing IT management is involved, creating a challenge in hiring the right candidate. Is it the existing IT managers who hire IT managers, or do they seek individuals who are skilled engineers or former IT managers? This cycle perpetuates a shortage of qualified and skilled IT managers.

Addressing these issues requires a more holistic approach. IT managers need to develop their soft skills and learn how to build strong relationships and self-promote their contributions. Businesses need to recognize the value of IT and invest in training for IT managers to ensure they can effectively navigate their roles and communicate the importance of their work to other departments.

Understanding these challenges and working towards solutions can help IT managers overcome the perception of being rude and effectively contribute to the success of their organizations.