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> Skip stand-ups and all-hands. > Decline invitations by default. When you’re essential to an event, its host will notify you. > Play pranks and plan ruses!
by pavel_lishin 3y ago
> Skip stand-ups and all-hands.
> Decline invitations by default. When you’re essential to an event, its host will notify you.
> Play pranks and plan ruses!
Be a mysterious, opaque asshole.
Create more work for everyone you work with.
And when you do show up, make sure that nobody knows whether you're on the level or not.
Okay, that last one is uncharitable. Being memorable and fun is a valuable thing, and something I strive for, but as John Scalzi has pointed out, "the failure mode of 'clever' is 'asshole'."
- JimDabell 3y ago> Create more work for everyone you work with. It’s exhausting working with people that don’t show up to meetings. The rest of the team is all on the same page already and the special person needs everything explained to them individually because they never showed up to the meeting where the discussion happened. These people always seem to flame out of jobs while feeling they are too good for them.
- toss1 3y agoYup. Decline is an ok first-approximation default. But not as the full-on maximization goal the author pushes. Doing that will severely limit you. Other things to consider with meetings and gatherings: Might I add value to others, either by bringing knowledge or being present to take on tasks? Might be being seen as present & participating benefit you in the longer term? What surprises (by definition, things you don't yet know about) might happen at the event? Might hanging out with a friend or acquaintance be helpful for them? Defaulting to not doing each of these things at one time or another has been cause for regret in my life. I'd advise at least asking that set of questions and others before actually not accepting an invitation.
- op00to 3y agoI was surprised one of the ideas was not “pull a rabbit from under your fedora”.