Contra "Glue work considered harmful"

Sean Goedecke's article titled "Glue work considered harmful" argues that companies don't reward "glue work" because they want employees to focus on delivering features. Glue work, which refers to tasks that improve overall efficiency, is often seen as less important and undervalued. Goedecke believes that companies leave value on the table by neglecting this type of work.

He asserts that employees should prioritize the success of their projects, even if it means neglecting glue work, instead of striving for 100% efficiency. However, the author of this account disagrees with Goedecke's perspective and believes that doing glue work tactically, specifically for the projects one leads, is beneficial.

The author emphasizes that ignoring glue work can lead to burnout and a decline in team morale. They also point out that large tech companies, despite their success, suffer from unnecessary waste and inefficiency due to their focus on measurable goals and performance reviews. The author suggests that organizations should trust their employees to determine what is most helpful, rather than imposing rigid expectations on the value of different types of work.