3 ms·

The 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 ago
  At 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 ago
    Managers 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 ago
Not 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.
- nprateem 3y ago
  The lower you are the more such single people above you who can sack you.
  - weinzierl 3y ago
    In a well functioning org that is not the case. That's my point.
    - nprateem 3y ago
      But it's exactly the case. As I pointed out in another comment, more senior managers may not know or care about you individually to sack you, but instead you get caught as departments are cut to reflect strategic changes. It's simple probability. The more people above you, the greater the odds of being sacked.

> 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 ago
At 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 ago
  Managers 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 ago

Not 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.

nprateem 3y ago
The lower you are the more such single people above you who can sack you.
- weinzierl 3y ago
  In a well functioning org that is not the case. That's my point.
  - nprateem 3y ago
    But it's exactly the case. As I pointed out in another comment, more senior managers may not know or care about you individually to sack you, but instead you get caught as departments are cut to reflect strategic changes. It's simple probability. The more people above you, the greater the odds of being sacked.