Good people Quote by Eric S. Raymond
““There is another kind of skill not normally associated with software development which I think is as important as design cleverness to bazaar projects — and it may be more important. A bazaar project coordinator or leader must have good people and communications skills. This should be obvious. In order to build a development community, you need to attract people, interest them in what you’re doing, and keep them happy about the amount of work they’re doing. Technical sizzle will go a long way towards accomplishing this, but it’s far from the whole story. The personality you project matters, too. It is not a coincidence that Linus is a nice guy who makes people like him and want to help him. It’s not a coincidence that I’m an energetic extrovert who enjoys working a crowd and has some of the delivery and instincts of a stand-up comic. To make the bazaar model work, it helps enormously if you have at least a little skill at charming people.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Cathedral and the Bazaar, 1999
Successful open‑source projects need people‑skills as much as technical talent; charisma and communication attract and retain contributors.
In simple terms: People skills are crucial for open‑source success.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate communication and charisma.
Themes
open source
leadership
community building
Mood
reflective
practical
Type
advisory
inspirational
When to use this quote
- project onboarding
- community events
- conflict resolution
- mentor programs
Key Concepts
Social dynamics
psychology
collaboration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders improve their people skills?
- What incentives keep contributors engaged?
A Different Perspective
Technical excellence alone won’t sustain a community.
