By the same logic, you should be able to "program with programmers", and apply the same thinking to teams of developers. It's exactly this MBAness that HN rails against. I'm not saying one paradigm is superior to the other, but I would caution against the facile sort of thinking that places developers above other mere mortals. It's tempting to think that we need to be able to spread our wings and realize our potential, while they are best managed and regimented in a programatic fashion, but that sort of distinction requires an argument that seems to be lacking.
If we acknowledge that a sales force can benefit from this kind of regimentation, then we must either allow for the same to be true of developers, or offer a convincing argument as to why it can't be.
Programming is an inherently creative act. Sales isn't always. The goal with most sales organizations is to replicate a process that works on a regular basis and at scale. Programmers are composers, most sales teams are like musicians in the orchestra. Both are really important to making the music happen. One is creating processes. One is executing on it.
If we acknowledge that a sales force can benefit from this kind of regimentation, then we must either allow for the same to be true of developers, or offer a convincing argument as to why it can't be.