The intro of that video hit hard and hurt. I have literally been in that position where I built the analytics page, which marketing asked for, and I can see the analytics for the analytics and no one has even checked the page. And so I chime in asking if anyone else has noticed that our big product release is not going anywhere and its like crickets. You realize that from your position that you have no ability to hold others accountable.
I mean, if the release had happened and there had been technical issues you would have gotten called out and raked over the coals. But conversely, when the release was technically flawless but the business side tanked then no one is held responsible.
What frustrates me even more is when the non-technical people are acting like they want your input. They are actively soliciting feedback and even talking about empowerment but all of the critical decisions are being made behind closed doors. It is clear they know that any sane and technically competent senior contributor needs agency so they try their best to provide an illusion since they want to keep the actual control. I can even understand it. Their investors demand a prominent VP of sales or marketing and that VP demands their own agency as a requirement to work at the startup. There is only so much control to give out and the technical guy is the one shut out.
One of their points relating to how you know things are working really hit me. If you have fair equity and you have a seat at the table and things are still not working, then maybe you are the problem. But on the other side, if the founders are not giving you a seat at the table even when you are making it clear that you require it then maybe they don't respect you. I believe that it is a mistake to believe that merely working harder will earn that respect.