Comment Re:Guess I'm an Exception (Score 1) 1174
No - I don't think you're an exception. I too like my job a lot; the manager I work under is quite technically inclined, listens to what I have to say, and is willing to discuss things that he might not agree with.
This is, however, a unique opportunity. I have had managers who were bad, or arrogant, or refused to listen to what "tech heads" had to say. What I DID learn, however, is that sometimes we might not see "politically" what is going on; we rely on managers to perhaps see the political landscape of corporation Y and see how tech fits into that role. Sometimes these people perform admirably; sometimes they are only politically concerned with what affects them ie. "will the tech guy be making more work for me RIGHT NOW?" (never mind about the future).
I guess, more than anything else, I would look for a manager who would be able to sit down and discuss, have some tech background (a lot isn't necessary - that's why he hired me :-) ), and be willing to capitulate when he or she is wrong. In a similiar vein, I have to acknowledge that my way might make the most tech sense, but not the best sense in terms of budgets, political games, etc. that I don't have time to deal with, or even see. It doesn't mean I won't go on record for what I believe in; it just means that I have to sometimes accept the fact that I'm not going to get what I want.
Rant over.