I don't plan to take this field up as a career, it's only a hobby - TBH I don't think I enjoy spending all my time writing software, but I would like to have some knowledge so I can better understand any apps that I use and maybe create simple programs when I wish there was something Windows could so whihc it doesn't.
Honestly? I agree... if you read what I wrote above?? Coding, especially for BUSINESS, always interested me, because your data can tell you TONS & is a decision making weapon... an incredible ally.
I'm NOT a 'left-brained' type of guy, NOT really... I have to actually WORK @ coding, where others I know? Heck, do not @ all... but, they are terrible leaders, & terrible @ communicating w/ what I call "normal" folks and make 1 huge mistake I never agree with:
Thinking "normal folks" are stupid...
Man - they're not, but they DO tend to be ignorant of possibles + what can be done, & what cannot, & are not able to verify results well for decision making processes & assume "all is 100% correct" & many times, it is not or not as good as it can be.
They excel @ business process understanding & you USE them for this, just as they use coders for doing the "nuts & bolts" to 'make it happen'...
STILL, the best bosses I ever had were guys that could 2nd-guess me & knew how to do this stuff as well & could help when deadline was coming.
Especially if you can do it as well as your subordinates, because they DO make mistakes, & you can catch them in them (yes, they happen, I make them too)... & also jump into the mud w/ them & do actual work IF a deadline's looming!
I will never ascribe to the viewpoint "I don't need to know the nuts & bolts, but just have to know where to look, who to hire, & who to ask"...
That's dangerous b.s.!
Especially w/ NEW mgt. hired from external environs (other companies, based on resumes OR connections (sad but true) ONLY)...
The newb mgr.'s still don't have a FULL grasp of the new company, but many middle mgt. figures are hired on THIS VERY BASIS: Mainly, because they are an unknown, & thus feared, & shield "top mgt." from micromgt. duties... this IS where upper mgt. covers them, & they are ONLY there (lower mgt.) to execute policy really.
Good mgt.? Especially @ the mid-level/foreman level, @ least imo??
They're absolutely capable of double checking work, like math OR dataset results + understanding it & the desired end-goal as well? Absolute requirement #1, & secondly? KNOWING WHAT IS POSSIBLE/DOABLE, & what is not + being able to cost-it-out, both TIME & DOLLARS-WISE, accurately.
LOL, but, your view? That is HOW I started @ it... & here I am, finally going back to where I wanted to be (a better mgr.!). Straight Comp. Sci. & computers know-how @ a network engineer + coding level?
Heck, they were just a "stepping stone" to a better life initially, but then? Heck, I found them INTERESTING!!! (Oh noooo, lol!).
Experience, hands-on? THE ONLY way... again, Toyota, they are INCREDIBLY successful because of this viewpoint, & I agree w/ it, totally 110%: Mgt. grown from w/in/homegrown, step-by-step, inside said company in question (no externals hired typically)...
AND, the only way to get there? Learn something to supplement YOU, bettering YOU and thus, your company too...
APK
P.S.=> Computers, above all, are JUST A TOOL... like air wrenches are for mechanics I suppose... understanding them, being able to leverage & understand them FULLY, is only a stepping stone for me @ least... arming myself against this world I guess!
Above all, do NOT let it turn you into "Lt. Commander DATA" because it CAN... not a joke! Don't lose your "finer points" in the process I guess is what I am trying to say, your "human you"... & GOOD LUCK!
I bet, years down the road, once you get ahold of it well @ THIS level specifically? You'll KNOW exactly what I mean here... if you pursue it that far that is! apk