The finality with which you describe your experience leaves little room for understanding a wider range of perspectives, doesn’t consider room for misunderstanding or the chance that you’re simply wrong in your view of underlying events. For me, that’s the growth that’s missing from this anecdote. It seems unlikely you will be happy in your next role given this perspective.
Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
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Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#12Something that took me way to long to figure out: know when it's time to leave a job.
Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#13Could you be more specific ? Like if your weakness is poor communication leading towards unintentional hostility to coworkers or inability to prioritize work, that weakness is probably worth be developed.
To me it sounds more like they are trying to force them into a bullshit-job.
Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#14I think people put way too much focus on growth. Trying to scale the corporate ladder is really starting to seem like getting a PhD and trying to be a professor. There aren’t enough director or C level jobs for everyone, but most of us are compelled to join the rat race to try and get one.
difference being it is easier (especially if you've got some computer skills) to create a new company than a new university/research lab.
My personal "growth" trajectory will eventually entail starting my own shop, I suspect many other people will have similar paths.
Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#15The finality with which you describe your experience leaves little room for understanding a wider range of perspectives, doesn’t consider room for misunderstanding or the chance that you’re simply wrong in your view of underlying events. For me, that’s the growth that’s missing from this anecdote. It seems unlikely you will be happy in your next role given this perspective.
Well I didn’t spell out the full drama but:
1. It’s been more than a year and I’ve beat myself up, had coaching, and assumed I was the problem
2. This boss / situation is the outlier from almost every other role and I’ve decided to stop beating myself up about it (for context I’m mid career, worked at half a dozen places)
3. I have complete empathy for the boss. This situation is just different from past roles. They just need someone else in the role.
I admit, perhaps I failed, but life is short and I can keep beating my head against a wall trying to “grow” or move on.
Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#16> It's important to know when your strengths are fundamentally misaligned with your job, boss, etc and leave ASAP. Don't try to force yourself to fit into it for the sake of "growth".
Spot on. Also remember your “boss” is not your owner. Nor are they all knowing. If the “boss” doesnt meet your requirements change the “boss”. It goes both ways.
Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#17Personally I think the concept of growth is a scam to get people to work harder for less. You can certainly grow your skill set, but intelligent people can rise to the occasion in most jobs. Including CEO/Director/High level decision making jobs.
Everytime I have received some insultingly low offer from a startup, they start talking about "growth", "what I can own", "wearing many hats". Meanwhile, the founder is sitting on some 40% equity grant.
Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#181. Make BS metrics/goals 2. Achieve them 3. ?? 4. Profit
if you're going for VC funding, it's more
1. Make (semi-)BS metrics/goals
2. Achieve them
3. ???
4. More funding!
Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#19Does anyone in the team understand what you bring to the table? Is your contribution key to the team's success? If that's the case then the others could serve as promoters for your case in front of the boss who apparently doesn't see or appreciate this.
But if this is not the case then maybe your current skill set is not a good match to what is currently needed. I don't know, maybe someone else is already covering the things that you say you bring to the table, or the team's activity and goals are just a bad fit for you specifically.
> because I'm being forced to be something I'm not
Many managers see this as trying to help you grow, by getting you outside your comfort zone. In the end it's your choice if you want to play along or find a team/boss that makes better use of your contribution.
Re: Tell HN: Beware 'Ungrowth' in Your Job
#20This is an interesting topic. I suspect you are being vague for privacy. But is it possible to get some more context?
What do you think your strengths are? Which strengths does the manager want you to grow?