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Ask HN: How do I thrive as part of an unambitious team?

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Re: Ask HN: How do I thrive as part of an unambitious team?

#11

Post by fuzzfactor »

cprayingmantis wrote: post #7

Either you become their inspiring leader with your zeal to push your self or you become like them. There is no middle ground. So think about what you want and act accordingly. Btw being a leader is way more than having some senior position, a leader is someone who the team looks to for guidance, inspiration, and growth. Don’t need to have some fancy title to give that, don’t have to be formally in charge either.

I typed my main comment when there were no others yet, and it's nothing like yours.

But you have perfectly good advice too, just as realistic as can be.

Lots of other good advice now too, mainly to move on, kind of like I have in my qualified way.

More inspiration you have for those who dare to rise from right where they are.

Because of what they are more certain to come out like on the other side.

A corrective upvote could not be more appropriate.

Re: Ask HN: How do I thrive as part of an unambitious team?

#14

Post by rgoulter »

oreally wrote: post #5

What the heck even is "professional level" to you? If it seems like there's a mismatch, do something about it. You can always find something else.

> What the heck even is "professional level" to you?

It'd involve a mismatch in expectations of communication or work; where some factors of getting the job done are more important to OP than to his colleagues.

e.g. maybe OP thinks tickets are very important, and his colleagues don't. Maybe OP thinks code quality is important; or taking the time to learn some new tool that would do the job better.

Re: Ask HN: How do I thrive as part of an unambitious team?

#16

Post by petespeed »

It all depends on the culture that your organizational leaders support.

If they support your team's culture, then you are in a wrong org. Options: 1) Exit, 2) Invest your time to change them, 3) Challenge yourself to fit with them without losing your motivation, 4) Become like them.

Life is short, and this team is not a good benchmark/reference point for your career in job market, so easy route is #1.

If your leaders do not like such culture, then you have an opportunity to become a change leader. Assuming you are an IC, this path will likely require you to transition into a people leader. Make sure your leaders in sync with your change plans. (see HBR paper: power failure in management circuits).

Re: Ask HN: How do I thrive as part of an unambitious team?

#17

Post by eribfob »

Sounds like they have the right idea: don't work too hard, enjoy yourself, make spending time at work a pleasure rather than a chore.

Would your suggestions do anything to improve your colleagues' lives? Probably not, from their perspective. Just means extra work, for an employer that likely doesn't deserve it.

If you don't like it, best to leave and find a team more suited to your employment desires.

Re: Ask HN: How do I thrive as part of an unambitious team?

#18

Post by throwaway675309 »

Ultimately it's not up to you to determine what the team's priority should be, as you're not in a leadership position. By attempting to behave as if you're in such a position you're merely adding to your own stress.

Enjoy the happy hours and the camaraderie with your teammates, meet the expectations of your team and grow on a personal and individual level. You're perfectly capable of improving your own skill set and knowledge base independently.

Re: Ask HN: How do I thrive as part of an unambitious team?

#19

Post by idontwantthis »

throwaway675309 wrote: post #18

Ultimately it's not up to you to determine what the team's priority should be, as you're not in a leadership position. By attempting to behave as if you're in such a position you're merely adding to your own stress. Enjoy the happy hours and the camaraderie with your teammates, meet the expectations of your team and grow on a personal and individual level. You're perfectly capable of improving your own skill set and…

Or leave, but the lesson is the same. You can’t control others, only your response To them.
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