The eXtreme project manager strikes again...

(Edited 20101013, PR)

I must state that the post below relates to a podcast I listened to, not an encounter with Doug DeCarlo.

(End edit)

I don’t know why but when I’m having a grumpy day Doug DeCarlo creeps up and makes it even worse.  My last run in with this bozo had me using some strong language.  This time, I was actually screaming in my car on the way back from work.

Doug DeCarlo is a snake oil salesman; he talks in buzzwords and in long phrases that never make a point.  Apparently he is successful at selling his garbage but you have to wonder who the hell pays for this total lack of content.  When you listen to him you start thinking cult not project management.

He basically uses the tactics of the charlatan; gratuitous affirmations, pseudo-scientific wording (quantum brain), out of context expressions (weather is his expression for regulation or mandatory processes), aligns his stuff with legit approaches (Agile for one) but then contradicts his own arguments, etc.

This goes on for 50+ minutes.  As if things couldn’t get worse, there is a part 2 to this ordeal.  Yes I will listen to it and it’s likely I’ll go medieval over it.

What do you think?  As always questions and comments are welcome.

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Comments

[Amy]

I think I know this man's twin. I haven't read many of your blogs, and I hate to throw this word around so casually, but has the term 'narcissist' been applied yet here? It sounds like this man you work with fills that bill!

I am all too familiar with this type of person. They never make any sense, but are well-versed at all of the right tones and tilt of the head, etc. They often, incredulously, wind up in management positions, because some people that are lacking in discernment actually buy into that garbage.

I honestly feel your pain.

[Patrick Richard]

Amy,

Thanks for the comment. I must confess that I read them a couple of time until I understood that my original post was misleading.

I failed to mention that the post was written in reaction to a podcast I listened to, not an encounter with Doug DeCarlo. Not that I haven't had such encounters before, search the blog for "idiot switch"

[Alessandro Machi]

I'm a big believer in transcription. Would be interesting to have the choice of reading excerpts before committing to the audio version, which takes much longer to consume.

[Patrick Richard]

Alessandro,

Thanks for the comment and sorry for taking so long to answer; life got busy for a while.

I hear you regarding transcriptions but I must say that once I start listenig to a podcast I typically end up listening to all episodes, even the painfull ones.