growing_older
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2007
- Messages
- 2,657
Despite my optimistic projections in the past, it looks like I should expect to work another 4-5 years before I can retire. I've been okay with that and resigned myself to working until then. Especially because my immediate boss is a great boss, who makes my work environment as livable as possible. But this month my work has fallen apart. My boss, who was the best thing about this company. left for a new job. Then, 30% of the engineers, including the chief architect and the software lead all quit in the 2 weeks after that.
A new boss has been hired (without consulting any of his team) and he is way underqualified. He's apparently a friend of his future boss, but his only work experience is running 3 little startups, none of which turned into viable businesses. He's already announced a major reorg without talking to any of his team, or even his direct reports. Half his direct reports are interviewing elsewhere.
For me the scariest foreshadowing of problems ahead was a meeting today. We have a customer problem and called in all the department heads to brainstorm possible solutions. It was chaotic and dozens of ideas, some ridiculous, were duly collected and the new boss has 2 people chasing down details for EVERY one of them. Fine. The scariest part however is that we have had this problem before. There is a known solution which is logical and simple. No one suggested it. Aside from me, there were at least 2 other people who know the solution, and possibly more in the room. It looks like everyone has either checked out or is cautiously waiting to see what may be happening next before engaging.
So what to do? Do I try to hang on and see if this will play out tolerably, although it doesn't look promising? Do I give up and join the exodus? Do I sharpen my pencil and ER a little too early, but do it now to avoid work grinding me down before I go? If I were an amateur sociologist or if I could simply not care and let the place fall down around me, I might be able to keep working here, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. Any other ideas for what might help me last a few more years?
A new boss has been hired (without consulting any of his team) and he is way underqualified. He's apparently a friend of his future boss, but his only work experience is running 3 little startups, none of which turned into viable businesses. He's already announced a major reorg without talking to any of his team, or even his direct reports. Half his direct reports are interviewing elsewhere.
For me the scariest foreshadowing of problems ahead was a meeting today. We have a customer problem and called in all the department heads to brainstorm possible solutions. It was chaotic and dozens of ideas, some ridiculous, were duly collected and the new boss has 2 people chasing down details for EVERY one of them. Fine. The scariest part however is that we have had this problem before. There is a known solution which is logical and simple. No one suggested it. Aside from me, there were at least 2 other people who know the solution, and possibly more in the room. It looks like everyone has either checked out or is cautiously waiting to see what may be happening next before engaging.
So what to do? Do I try to hang on and see if this will play out tolerably, although it doesn't look promising? Do I give up and join the exodus? Do I sharpen my pencil and ER a little too early, but do it now to avoid work grinding me down before I go? If I were an amateur sociologist or if I could simply not care and let the place fall down around me, I might be able to keep working here, but I'm not sure I'll be able to. Any other ideas for what might help me last a few more years?