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Having worked for a dying tech startup at one point in the early 2000s - I spent time agonizing over the fact that if I quit, the company would become unviable

by 2sk21 6y ago

Having worked for a dying tech startup at one point in the early 2000s - I spent time agonizing over the fact that if I quit, the company would become unviable - I was one of the key technical people and was the only person with a good understanding of our entire product. After much dithering, I did ultimately leave and the company did fold shortly thereafter. I did feel bad at the time but in retrospect, I have come to realize that it was inevitable and I should have left even sooner.

wiredfool 6y ago
Yep. It’s a really rough call. I really dislike getting into the key employee role, but it’s happened a couple of times.
codingdave 6y ago
I sympathize with feeling like the company can't do the job without you. It is a tough place to be. But ultimately, unless you are an exec or owner, that is not your problem. Your job is not a marriage, it is an ongoing business transaction. If the leadership built a company so dependent on one person, yet failed to either make sure that person was stupendously happy and satisfied there, or at least have a backup plan for that person's bus factor, that is their own management mistake.
larrik 6y ago
I feel like this situation calls for making you a partner. If you are SO valuable the company can't even survive without you, then you ARE the company and should be treated as such.
- specitley 6y ago
  I’m in this position now as the only developer in a successful company that has been operating in lean startup mode for years and every employee has become “irreplaceable” with no contingency plans. I brought partnership up with the owner and he wouldn’t consider it. It’s going to be rough For them when I leave and any “friendships” will definitely be erased.
- 2sk21 6y ago
  As the company was clearly dying, a toxic environment was beginning to develop. Eventually, I just wanted out, regardless of the impact of my departure.
Ididntdothis 6y ago
“if I quit, the company would become unviable“ I was in such a situation but after asking for more money I quickly realized that I wasn’t important enough to be paid a little more.

by 2sk21 6y ago

wiredfool 6y ago

Yep. It’s a really rough call. I really dislike getting into the key employee role, but it’s happened a couple of times.

codingdave 6y ago

I sympathize with feeling like the company can't do the job without you. It is a tough place to be. But ultimately, unless you are an exec or owner, that is not your problem. Your job is not a marriage, it is an ongoing business transaction. If the leadership built a company so dependent on one person, yet failed to either make sure that person was stupendously happy and satisfied there, or at least have a backup plan for that person's bus factor, that is their own management mistake.

larrik 6y ago

I feel like this situation calls for making you a partner. If you are SO valuable the company can't even survive without you, then you ARE the company and should be treated as such.

specitley 6y ago
I’m in this position now as the only developer in a successful company that has been operating in lean startup mode for years and every employee has become “irreplaceable” with no contingency plans. I brought partnership up with the owner and he wouldn’t consider it. It’s going to be rough For them when I leave and any “friendships” will definitely be erased.
2sk21 6y ago
As the company was clearly dying, a toxic environment was beginning to develop. Eventually, I just wanted out, regardless of the impact of my departure.

Ididntdothis 6y ago

“if I quit, the company would become unviable“ I was in such a situation but after asking for more money I quickly realized that I wasn’t important enough to be paid a little more.