Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

seangoedecke.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 216 posts

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#21

Post by okdood64 »

Trasmatta wrote: post #17
getnormality wrote: post #15

It seems like this post can be summarized as follows: 1. If your manager has something in particular they want you to do, you should do it. 2. If your manager doesn't have something in particular they want you to do, you should figure out what they will want you to do in the future , and make any necessary preparations so that it will be doable when they want it. I'd say it's good advice. The only thing I would add i…

I would rather not live my life with the sole purpose of people pleasing managers

What? This is what you are paid to do in your work life.

This isn’t a thread about your whole life.

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#22

Post by smallnix »

Trasmatta wrote: post #17
getnormality wrote: post #15

It seems like this post can be summarized as follows: 1. If your manager has something in particular they want you to do, you should do it. 2. If your manager doesn't have something in particular they want you to do, you should figure out what they will want you to do in the future , and make any necessary preparations so that it will be doable when they want it. I'd say it's good advice. The only thing I would add i…

I would rather not live my life with the sole purpose of people pleasing managers

In case you can share an alternate strategy to make a career in a large tech company, please do, would be interested.

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#23

Post by tamimio »

Trasmatta wrote: post #17
getnormality wrote: post #15

It seems like this post can be summarized as follows: 1. If your manager has something in particular they want you to do, you should do it. 2. If your manager doesn't have something in particular they want you to do, you should figure out what they will want you to do in the future , and make any necessary preparations so that it will be doable when they want it. I'd say it's good advice. The only thing I would add i…

I would rather not live my life with the sole purpose of people pleasing managers

“You lack soft skills and initiative; unfortunately, you will not be promoted while having more responsibilities” - the manager who wants to be pleased.

One time a manager hinted to me to be a snitch on my coworkers just so he could see I have “leader” attributes to get promoted later. Stay away from corps..

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#24

Post by chausen »

Trasmatta wrote: post #17
getnormality wrote: post #15

It seems like this post can be summarized as follows: 1. If your manager has something in particular they want you to do, you should do it. 2. If your manager doesn't have something in particular they want you to do, you should figure out what they will want you to do in the future , and make any necessary preparations so that it will be doable when they want it. I'd say it's good advice. The only thing I would add i…

I would rather not live my life with the sole purpose of people pleasing managers

It doesn’t have to be your some purpose; it could be within your normal working hours. It’s basically just choosing a goal to be intentional with at work.

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#25

Post by elktown »

vcryan wrote: post #2

Politics is inescapable. Software engineers can't live outside of them. Whether these are the team politics, org politics, etc. I don't think engineers are universality bad/good at politics. It's just like anything else, takes practice.

Sure, to some degree it will always be there. But company size and careerist culture - both local to the company and differences between countries - makes it vastly different in presence.

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#26

Post by Jgrubb »

> The important thing is to have a detailed, effective program of work ready to go for whatever the flavor of the month is.

This is basically my theory of how things get done in Washington. There's no grand plan most of the time, just an army of operatives ready with a slide deck to pitch when the conditions for an idea present themselves.

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#27

Post by Trasmatta »

smallnix wrote: post #22
Trasmatta wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would rather not live my life with the sole purpose of people pleasing managers

In case you can share an alternate strategy to make a career in a large tech company, please do, would be interested.

That's the crux. I don't want a career in a large tech company.

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#28

Post by bdangubic »

smallnix wrote: post #22
Trasmatta wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would rather not live my life with the sole purpose of people pleasing managers

In case you can share an alternate strategy to make a career in a large tech company, please do, would be interested.

you should do everything possible to make a career in a small company. after three decades as SWE it is my #1 (there is not even remotely close #2) advise for everyone in the early stages of their career

Re: How I influence tech company politics as a staff software engineer

#29

Post by the_af »

Trasmatta wrote: post #27
smallnix wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In case you can share an alternate strategy to make a career in a large tech company, please do, would be interested.

That's the crux. I don't want a career in a large tech company.

Is working in a small tech company any different?
Post reply on HN