At the risk of becoming a Spolsky link blog I wanted to point people toward a recent series of articles which look at different management styles. Joel disects each with respect to managing high tech, knowledge-oriented teams.

Introduction

1) The Command and Control method

• Shout at people

2) The Econ101 method

• Incentivise people with rewards

3) The Identity Management Method

• get workers to identify with the problem by telling them stuff

I found the arguments entertaining and well thought out and I'd be interested in what others with actual management experience think. Personally I know very little about management but have encountered all three methods from the receiving end and I know which I prefer.