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With respect it sounds like you need to delegate. I don't know your situation, so apologies if that sounds presumptuous, but as a CTO I have experienced burnou

by louthy 11y ago

With respect it sounds like you need to delegate. I don't know your situation, so apologies if that sounds presumptuous, but as a CTO I have experienced burnout and it's debilitating. In fact I'd say the last two weeks were the first where I've actually felt able to create and be productive since last September - where I felt I was close to a breakdown; but luckily it coincided with a planned holiday which allowed my brain to calm down (at least), but on return from the holiday I had zero productivity and motivation. I switched myself from dev+boss mode into just boss mode and delegated until I felt able to contribute again. I don't know if that would help in your situation?

madaxe_again 11y ago
Oh, agreed - but see the bit about disciplinary meetings. Unfortunately I'm an anti-authoritarian, and have managed to fill a company with like minded people. This was fine while we were small and scrappy, fighting "the man" - thing is, we won, we are now "the man", it's become Serious Business, and my lieutenants are struggling to adapt to the shift in culture, to the degree that I find myself taking responsibility for everything. I'm struggling to adapt to the shift in culture. Sitting people down and telling them that being drunk at work isn't on isn't in my nature. I used to love being drunk at work - but that was five years ago, times have moved on. It's not easy taking off your duster and putting on a suit. Holiday, I need one. I was meant to have two weeks off last summer but instead spent six weeks in and out of hospital, trying not to die from an infection. Sometimes you just get dealt a bum hand, or you fuck up and make things hard for yourself - you just have to keep playing - leave the table and you've just got a boring cab ride home.
- louthy 11y ago
  Maybe bring some of your closest lieutenants in and tell them that you're feeling close to breaking point and that you need them to take some slack for a while. Be honest an frank with them that you may need to walk (or be carried) away from it if something doesn't change quickly. Make use of the anti-authoritarian aspect of your setup to try and draft in some collective help?
  - nommm-nommm 11y ago
    Don't tell them you are close to the breaking point - that will make them question your judgements. But you have to be firm that things need to change. If lieutenants are subordinates (that part is not clear to me) lay out what needs to be done by who. If they are unwilling or unable to do the assigned tasks then fire them and replace them with people who will do their job. They are your employees not your bffs. If lieutenants are peers then this doesn't apply.

by louthy 11y ago

madaxe_again 11y ago

Oh, agreed - but see the bit about disciplinary meetings. Unfortunately I'm an anti-authoritarian, and have managed to fill a company with like minded people. This was fine while we were small and scrappy, fighting "the man" - thing is, we won, we are now "the man", it's become Serious Business, and my lieutenants are struggling to adapt to the shift in culture, to the degree that I find myself taking responsibility for everything. I'm struggling to adapt to the shift in culture. Sitting people down and telling them that being drunk at work isn't on isn't in my nature. I used to love being drunk at work - but that was five years ago, times have moved on. It's not easy taking off your duster and putting on a suit. Holiday, I need one. I was meant to have two weeks off last summer but instead spent six weeks in and out of hospital, trying not to die from an infection. Sometimes you just get dealt a bum hand, or you fuck up and make things hard for yourself - you just have to keep playing - leave the table and you've just got a boring cab ride home.

louthy 11y ago
Maybe bring some of your closest lieutenants in and tell them that you're feeling close to breaking point and that you need them to take some slack for a while. Be honest an frank with them that you may need to walk (or be carried) away from it if something doesn't change quickly. Make use of the anti-authoritarian aspect of your setup to try and draft in some collective help?
- nommm-nommm 11y ago
  Don't tell them you are close to the breaking point - that will make them question your judgements. But you have to be firm that things need to change. If lieutenants are subordinates (that part is not clear to me) lay out what needs to be done by who. If they are unwilling or unable to do the assigned tasks then fire them and replace them with people who will do their job. They are your employees not your bffs. If lieutenants are peers then this doesn't apply.