What does this mean?

[david lightman]

So basically I have been working for a big Company and in same dept as an IT guy for many years. Been promoted a few times after i started as a coder. Im an architect over several high profile projects and recently was promoted. I have basically designed and implemented some entire systems, so it will be hard to replace me, but as you all know EVERYONE can be replaced so some young architect will find his way and pick up where i left off. I have worked extremely hard and am happy but a friend of mine mentioned that another peer(who did not know I was close with this person) said many people are sorry to see me go but but a couple see it as a good thing. He went on to say it is sometimes good to let go of a "cowboy" like me. He continued to call me "cowboy" to my friend.

Needless to say I was somewhat hurt to hear something like that, but honestly I dont know what a "cowboy" means. It made me somewhat bitter since I had bailed this architect out of many issues their own project. It was on my mind all day, and I could only think that: a) they always felt that way and it came out b) jealous of my promotion or c)now they have full control without me interfering with questions of "why, please explain".


Anyway, what gives??
I have never said anything bad about anyone and still do not intend to confront this person. I'm moving up so I dont care to. But I am curious they meant.

what does "cowboy" mean?? and what do you think this is about?

I did find a quote on the internet:

The cowboy is the guy everyone depends on in the IT department; they know how to do a job that others do not. When they're not around, IT is less productive and they are not easily replaced. In many ways, they are too valuable, even dangerously so.

but I also know a cowboy coder is a hacker-type that codes with reckless abandon, what do you think??

thanks alot

[Mark Herschberg]

"Cowboy" usually means someone independent, but often in a deroggatory way, i.e. someone who runs off on his own without first getting buy in from other stakeholders (e.g. team members, superiors, sponsors, peers).

--Mark

[arulk pillai]

Quote from the WikePedia as follows:

Worldwide, the term "cowboy" can be used as an adjective in a derogatory sense to describe someone who is violent, impulsive, or who behaves in a hot-headed and rash manner. For example, TIME Magazine had a cover article about George W. Bush's "Cowboy Diplomacy," and Bush has been described in European newspapers as a "cowboy".

In the British Isles, Australia and New Zealand, it is applied to tradesmen whose work is of shoddy and questionable value, e.g., "a cowboy plumber". Similar usage is seen in the United States to describe someone in the skilled trades who operates without proper training or licenses. In the eastern United States, the term is sometimes used to describe a fast or careless driver on the highway.

You are climbing up the corporate career ladder and it is possible that some are jealous. If I were you, will turn a blind eye and take it as a motivation to further advance my career.

[david lightman]

Well, when I was a J2EE/Java Developer I guess I was somewhat of a hacker/cowboy many moons ago and perhaps this person just held on to that. But honestly...Call it what you want, hacker, cowboy whatever..Sometimes I still feel you need someone who questions things and has a knack for figuring out the most complex problems on the fly.

Thank you for the feedback. I will use this as motivation and a learning experience and keep it to myself while I transistion.

I guess I have just never understood why people are so inclined to try and hold other back and/or put them down. It's rather sad actually.

Anyway, I have been coming here for so many years, I'm glad I posted this to get feedback here. Thanks again.

[Rahul Bhattacharjee]

When people give deroggatory remarks , then you are sure that you are progressing.

Dialog from a Hindi movie - Guru.