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I am not sure that strategy optimizes for your outcomes however. Think about probabilities. Does doing good and relevant work increase your chances of promotio

I am not sure that strategy optimizes for your outcomes however. Think about probabilities. Does doing good and relevant work increase your chances of promotion and better pay? Yes. Does it decrease your chances of being laid off? Yes. So it seems like doing good work is your best chance at doing well, although nothing is guaranteed. Now obviously if you're doing the minimum at work because you're growing your own business - that could be the superior strategy. But if you're doing the minimum so you can just waste time doing nothing - seems worse.

peruvian 3y ago
> Does it decrease your chances of being laid off? Yes. This is so hilariously false.
- xyzelement 3y ago
  Not sure where you've worked but in my experience based on established finance firms, a scale-up and FAANGs, layoff-rounds - especially early ones - have a high mix of low and borderline performers. Being in that cohort obviously hurts you - though obviously nothing is guaranteed.
alangibson 3y ago
What industry are you in, and how long have you been at it? I tend to think the parent post is objectively correct after 25 years of doing everything computer related.
nehal3m 3y ago
There's a flip side you're skipping over. Going above and beyond has an opportunity cost, you are spending time and effort on a chance of improving your employment situation at the cost of spending that time and energy elsewhere, places where it _could_ be a guarantee at a better life. For example, spending time doing things you love, or spending time just being around the people that you love. In my opinion the optimised outcome is a good life, not good employment.
maerF0x0 3y ago
> doing good work This entirely depends on the work culture, and projects. Optimize for next employer (or side hustle, startup, contract etc) ... The primary negotiation point (initial offer) has already lapsed once you work for someone, so you will not be able to reap benefits from your "good work" under that employers definition. MBAs have game theoried the f--- out of the workplace and the only suitable defense is to do so back. Tailor your response to how aggressive this has been done (eg if you work for a family business, or a culture that clearly is going above and beyond to not be that...)

peruvian 3y ago

> Does it decrease your chances of being laid off? Yes. This is so hilariously false.

xyzelement 3y ago
Not sure where you've worked but in my experience based on established finance firms, a scale-up and FAANGs, layoff-rounds - especially early ones - have a high mix of low and borderline performers. Being in that cohort obviously hurts you - though obviously nothing is guaranteed.

alangibson 3y ago

What industry are you in, and how long have you been at it? I tend to think the parent post is objectively correct after 25 years of doing everything computer related.

nehal3m 3y ago

There's a flip side you're skipping over. Going above and beyond has an opportunity cost, you are spending time and effort on a chance of improving your employment situation at the cost of spending that time and energy elsewhere, places where it _could_ be a guarantee at a better life. For example, spending time doing things you love, or spending time just being around the people that you love. In my opinion the optimised outcome is a good life, not good employment.

maerF0x0 3y ago

> doing good work This entirely depends on the work culture, and projects. Optimize for next employer (or side hustle, startup, contract etc) ... The primary negotiation point (initial offer) has already lapsed once you work for someone, so you will not be able to reap benefits from your "good work" under that employers definition. MBAs have game theoried the f--- out of the workplace and the only suitable defense is to do so back. Tailor your response to how aggressive this has been done (eg if you work for a family business, or a culture that clearly is going above and beyond to not be that...)