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If a project is too stressful, why didn't she say "no, this is too stressful, let me work on something else." To me, it reads like they went along with the stre

by daenz 4y ago

If a project is too stressful, why didn't she say "no, this is too stressful, let me work on something else." To me, it reads like they went along with the stress, knowing it was going to be stressful, and acknowledging that it is indeed very stressful. This sounds like a lesson in asserting your boundaries around mental health.

mattgreenrocks 4y ago
IME: these things usually creep up on you in new and terrible ways. Everything can be fine and then it just sort of all hits you.
pornel 4y ago
Because there are strong incentives to persevere. Shipping a foundational spec is a major achievement, so it's easy to think that the stress is worth the goal. There's a cultural pressure to "suck it up" and not be "weak". Quitting can hurt your career and finances. So you try your best for as long as you can… until you can't.
- daenz 4y ago
  Nobody is forced to climb Mount Everest, and doing so can be deadly. But do you blame the mountain for being "too attractive of an achievement" when someone dies trying to reach the summit? Know your limits and set your boundaries.
  - pornel 4y ago
    The question I've answered was about motivation, not blame. The analogy you bring up isn't fitting, because unlike mountains, companies are run by people who consciously set up the incentives, assemble teams, set goals, receive feedback and can react to it. If a Mount Everest Travel Agency Ltd. advertised awesome climbs, got feedback from a participant that they're struggling and need a guide, and the company said "you won't get one, keep going!" then yes, I'd blame them for the injuries.
- hnfong 4y ago
  If what you say is a valid explanation, then the original question "I don't understand how this is Google's fault?" should be answered with "they should reduce the incentives for employees so that they won't burn themselves out trying to outdo themselves". Yeah, it sounds like sarcasm but I think the logic above can be read both ways.
  - pornel 4y ago
    Or they could focus on reducing the stress instead, like ensuring projects have a manager who listens to employees' feedback.

by daenz 4y ago

mattgreenrocks 4y ago

IME: these things usually creep up on you in new and terrible ways. Everything can be fine and then it just sort of all hits you.

pornel 4y ago

Because there are strong incentives to persevere. Shipping a foundational spec is a major achievement, so it's easy to think that the stress is worth the goal. There's a cultural pressure to "suck it up" and not be "weak". Quitting can hurt your career and finances. So you try your best for as long as you can… until you can't.

daenz 4y ago
Nobody is forced to climb Mount Everest, and doing so can be deadly. But do you blame the mountain for being "too attractive of an achievement" when someone dies trying to reach the summit? Know your limits and set your boundaries.
- pornel 4y ago
  The question I've answered was about motivation, not blame. The analogy you bring up isn't fitting, because unlike mountains, companies are run by people who consciously set up the incentives, assemble teams, set goals, receive feedback and can react to it. If a Mount Everest Travel Agency Ltd. advertised awesome climbs, got feedback from a participant that they're struggling and need a guide, and the company said "you won't get one, keep going!" then yes, I'd blame them for the injuries.
hnfong 4y ago
If what you say is a valid explanation, then the original question "I don't understand how this is Google's fault?" should be answered with "they should reduce the incentives for employees so that they won't burn themselves out trying to outdo themselves". Yeah, it sounds like sarcasm but I think the logic above can be read both ways.
- pornel 4y ago
  Or they could focus on reducing the stress instead, like ensuring projects have a manager who listens to employees' feedback.