5 ms·
Basically. It’s part of the deal when you become a manager, imo. ICs are vulnerable because they’re low-level, but they’re also more fungible, so they can be m
by curiousllama 3y ago
Basically. It’s part of the deal when you become a manager, imo.
ICs are vulnerable because they’re low-level, but they’re also more fungible, so they can be more easily transferred/find new jobs.
Management is more of a socio-political game (it’s all about the people). A huge chunk of your value is reputation, trust, and relationships - which are very much non-fungible.
So managers are vulnerable (like ICs), but non-fungible (like execs).
As they say: slow to hire, quick to fire.
- curiousllama 3y agoAdding on - there’s no level it becomes more safe. Senior folks get increasingly vulnerable - as comp increases, so do expected results. In a high comp place, there’s no safety, only alternative options.
- zeroonetwothree 3y agoThis seems less true for ICs. Layoffs hit the juniors much more than seniors and Ma y principal+ ICs I know barely do anything. Although it could just be a transient phenomenon based in relative supply/demand.
- Octoth0rpe 3y agoA golden parachute is another form of safety, arguably
- bluGill 3y agoMaybe, though many of those high rollers have a lifestyle that would die as soon as the golden parachute runs out. (I don't know if many is a tiny percent, or most though)
- nprateem 3y agoThe higher you go the fewer people who can sack you
- nine_zeros 3y ago> The higher you go the fewer people who can sack you This. As an IC, it only takes 1 of the 8 managers above you to write your marching orders. But as a VP, only the CEO or the SVP can write those orders.
- zeroonetwothree 3y agoAt most bigcorps your manager can’t unilaterally fire you. There’s a whole HR-driven process. And if your work is measurable they are probably doomed, which is much easier to achieve as an IC. (Obviously this excludes things like violating laws or policies) Plus the chance that managers 3+ levels up know or care about it you is minuscule. As a VP you have much more visibility. If your org does poorly you can get fired quite easily
- nprateem 3y agoManagers 3+ levels up won't fire you individually, just cut entire teams/departments.
- nine_zeros 3y ago> At most bigcorps your manager can’t unilaterally fire you. There’s a whole HR-driven process. But any of the 8 managers above you can initiate that process. > And if your work is measurable they are probably doomed, which is much easier to achieve as an IC. (Obviously this excludes things like violating laws or policies) The effort to fire me may be doomed, but only for now. The intent to strike a person is already there. More managers == more chances of developing intent to strike someone.
- weinzierl 3y agoNot really. It's not that a whole lot of people are needed to sack someone. While a couple of people might be involved the ultimate decision will most often be made by a single person - and that is true regardless where you are in the hierarchy.
- 3y ago