Speaking of, my promotion to Director was confirmed yesterday. We’ll just position it to coincide with something in July. All the lessons I learned the hard way as VPEng have turned into natural advantages at the new place. Easy as breathing.
The speed has to be some kind of record. (3 months.) Apparently I’m really good at this whole leadership thing.
Congrats, hanser!
Any standout tips or words of advice that you've learned along the way?
At the risk of being a presumptuous twat -- who, me? Never! -- I'll actually answer this question. (Disclaimer: written while sitting on the can, while my daughter was banging on the door of the bathroom. Hashtag toddlerlife.)
Soft power is always better than hard power or explicit authority.
Given sufficient soft power, explicit authority often follows. Explicit authority should always be used sparingly.
Make decisions at the place where information density is greatest.
After winning budget to hire people, hiring well is the most important thing you’ll do.
Figure out who has the power, and understand what motivates them. Learn what the political undercurrents are before taking an action. (An action might be as simple as sending that email.)
Uncomfortable or sensitive conversations should be had in ephemeral contexts so they can’t be used against any party.
Corrollary: putting things into writing can force another party to do something. Be sparing when using that lever.
Winning the documentation race often decides what was decided in the ephemeral context, even if that’s not objectively true.
Objective facts will often take a back seat to feelings and whimsy.
Don’t confuse aspirations with reality.
Know what you suck at.
Be right. A lot.
Corollary: own it when you're wrong. I've said "Wow, I fucked that right up" more times than I can remember.
Use your communication medium to your advantage. If an email thread is going off the tracks, slow it down by waiting to respond. Use an ephemeral medium to discuss uncomfortable things.
Being lawful good isn't the best alignment because it'll often minimize your ability to have impact. Act between lawful good through chaotic neutral, provided your long-term motives are aligned with those of your client.
Impact trumps intentions and being a "good person" -- whatever that means to you. The ends do justify the means provided you're not committing crimes against humanity, and the time to positive outcome is short enough for the people around you to connect it back to that not-nice thing you had to do.
Understand how the work you do aligns with value to your customers and clients.
Know the leverage you have at any moment in time. Use it sparingly.
Credibility is a bank account. When you start somewhere new, you have the equivalent of the $100 "new account" bonus in your account. It's up to you to grow the balance or spend it. Be strategic in your investments.
Instead of direct political conflict, see if you can change the win conditions and avoid the fight entirely.
Fuck you, pay me.
It's all a fucking game. Enjoy it.
