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Everything I needed to know about tech, I learned from Tolkien, part two

Blog post from New Relic

Post Details
Company
Date Published
Author
Leon Adato, Developer Relations Engineer
Word Count
2,185
Language
English
Hacker News Points
-
Summary

The blog post draws intriguing parallels between J.R.R. Tolkien's characters and various management styles encountered in IT, using figures from the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Silmarillion" to illustrate different leadership models. Gandalf is portrayed as the ideal manager who empowers and supports his team, while Sauron represents a dictatorial and self-serving leader. Other characters like Saruman, Radagast, and the Blue Wizards are used to describe managers who are manipulative, overly focused on tools, or absentee, respectively. The narrative also touches on the importance of understanding the power dynamics in tech environments, likening powerful tools to Tolkien's Rings and emphasizing the potential risks when placed in inexperienced hands. Additionally, the post highlights how personal stories and passions can enhance work, drawing inspiration from Tolkien's integration of his own love story into his literary works. Through these analogies, the article suggests that weaving personal experiences into professional life can lead to more inclusive and fulfilling workplaces.