Re: Questions to candidates
* Branden Robinson <branden@debian.org> [2004-03-19 18:06]:
> > I certainly hope that people will ask themselves whether I have been
> > productive as DPL. The following questions you raised are all valid,
> > and they are questions I have constantly asked myself throughout the
> > year in order to measure my performance.
>
> Okay. What were your answers?
I think I have done a good job, which is why I am running again this
year.
> Style of communication is not a personality trait?
Of course it is, ...
> And if my communication skills have "significantly improved over the
> years", as you "fully acknowledge", how does it stand to reason that my
> personality has not changed?
... I never claimed that personality never changes; of course it does,
it is just much harder to change than many other things.
> Okay. What I'm getting from this is basically that you were "born to
> lead" -- you've always been a great coordinator, "by nature", and that
> you have *always* been approachable.
>
> That's great -- honestly. But is it more valuable than being adaptable
> to the needs of the Debian Project?
If you're born to do something, does that necessarily make you less
adaptable?
> If born leaders are more suited to lead Debian than home-grown ones who
> have been forged in the crucible of our social environment, then why do
> we require that the Debian Project Leader even be a Debian Developer in
> the first place[2]?
Because Debian developer does not necessarily imply a technical
function. You can contribute to the project in other ways, and surely
someone interested in leading and coordinating Debian would
contribute, and then sign up for NM.
> Especially if that leader's most valuable trait is coordination: the
> initiatives are executed by others, while the leader's role is simply in
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> putting the right people together.
Part of coordination is to take initiative. I don't know why you seem
to see coordination as a passive role.
> What I'm hearing from you is that Debian Project Leadership is not a
> position that is best earned
I don't know where you're hearing this...
> Maybe so. But I don't believe at present that that's the way the
> Debian Project does work, or should work. It's not the kind of
> system I think of when I hear the word "meritocracy" -- to me, it's
> more like "aristocracy".
... I had to show my skills, and win a reputation, just like everyone
else in the project. I successfully did this over the years. I don't
want people to vote for me because I might be innately a good leader,
but because I have shown over the years that I am good at these tasks.
--
Martin Michlmayr
tbm@cyrius.com
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