4 ms·

That's not been my experience over a 20-year career. On a given day I might not have that freedom, and I've had ideas get shot down. But over the long run it's

by gdulli 10y ago

That's not been my experience over a 20-year career. On a given day I might not have that freedom, and I've had ideas get shot down. But over the long run it's always been true that if I have extra time I can use it to my advantage one way or another. This feels like a pretty universal rule about work. If I worked at Chipotle I'm sure I could still find a way to distinguish myself over my co-workers.

Chris2048 10y ago
If you take the advantage you gained from being recognized, vs the time spent towards that effort (including things shot down), is it worth it? The recognition must have a high return to make up for all the time wasted on rejected initiatives.
- gdulli 10y ago
  Are you asking if tens of thousands of dollars in salary, and increased equity, and promotion to roles of greater responsibility, and increased job security, and recognition, and the freedom to design my own role are worth a lot to me? Yes, they are.
  - gs_throwaway 10y ago
    You claim to have 20 years of experience, yet this reeks of "Just world" naivete. Are you guaranteed those things if you work better than the rest? No, external factors can nullify all your dedicated work. What would you do if all you had to show for your effort was that employee of the month picture on the wall?
  - Chris2048 10y ago
    First of all, "greater responsibility" is not an advantage, it is a liability you accept in return for other advantages. If the delta is worth "tens of thousands of dollars in salary", consider what your free time spent on other things is worth. It might not be. But "freedom to design my own role"? Where do you get this?
    - Bartweiss 10y ago
      > First of all, "greater responsibility" is not an advantage, it is a liability you accept in return for other advantages. This is an interesting point. We tend to conflate "greater control" with "greater responsibility", but we shouldn't. The first is a benefit, the second is a risk. They often go together, but having had a job with lots of responsibility and no control, they certainly don't have to.
- bcbrown 10y ago
  The personal fulfilment from contributing to a constantly-improving work environment is what makes it worth it.
  - Chris2048 10y ago
    This seem to ignore something in my original comment: What about the wasted effort?
    - bcbrown 10y ago
      What wasted effort? Sure, not all of my initiatives gain traction, but to expect otherwise would be unrealistic. Perhaps I've just been lucky to work at companies that are receptive to personal initiative, improvements and ideas. Regardless, I would much prefer to have a working environment where I'm engaged and involved and making an impact than where I'm only grudgingly doing just enough to get by, even if it doesn't lead to recognition and rewards. Although, in my experience, it does.

by gdulli 10y ago

Chris2048 10y ago

If you take the advantage you gained from being recognized, vs the time spent towards that effort (including things shot down), is it worth it? The recognition must have a high return to make up for all the time wasted on rejected initiatives.

gdulli 10y ago
Are you asking if tens of thousands of dollars in salary, and increased equity, and promotion to roles of greater responsibility, and increased job security, and recognition, and the freedom to design my own role are worth a lot to me? Yes, they are.
- gs_throwaway 10y ago
  You claim to have 20 years of experience, yet this reeks of "Just world" naivete. Are you guaranteed those things if you work better than the rest? No, external factors can nullify all your dedicated work. What would you do if all you had to show for your effort was that employee of the month picture on the wall?
- Chris2048 10y ago
  First of all, "greater responsibility" is not an advantage, it is a liability you accept in return for other advantages. If the delta is worth "tens of thousands of dollars in salary", consider what your free time spent on other things is worth. It might not be. But "freedom to design my own role"? Where do you get this?
  - Bartweiss 10y ago
    > First of all, "greater responsibility" is not an advantage, it is a liability you accept in return for other advantages. This is an interesting point. We tend to conflate "greater control" with "greater responsibility", but we shouldn't. The first is a benefit, the second is a risk. They often go together, but having had a job with lots of responsibility and no control, they certainly don't have to.
bcbrown 10y ago
The personal fulfilment from contributing to a constantly-improving work environment is what makes it worth it.
- Chris2048 10y ago
  This seem to ignore something in my original comment: What about the wasted effort?
  - bcbrown 10y ago
    What wasted effort? Sure, not all of my initiatives gain traction, but to expect otherwise would be unrealistic. Perhaps I've just been lucky to work at companies that are receptive to personal initiative, improvements and ideas. Regardless, I would much prefer to have a working environment where I'm engaged and involved and making an impact than where I'm only grudgingly doing just enough to get by, even if it doesn't lead to recognition and rewards. Although, in my experience, it does.