Working in a political org - what should I do?
I work in a highly political org. People have been getting their promotions because of their relationships with manager and directors. I believe I have more knowledge than my counterparts who are getting promoted over me, but I lack people skills. I like to bond and spend time with my family and close friends, hone my technical skills, rather than talking up to the managers in my team. The other guys in my team are playing the game well, and hence have better relationships with the leadership. I was aiming for L5 to L6 promotion this quarter. My manager directly told me that the other guy in my team(who has a good rapport with the manager and plays the political game well) would be promoted before me, and that guy would get all the better projects and opportunities in the team. He said I would get promoted only in the next quarter. (Which I do not believe fully) I believe I have the following options with me: 1. Leave the org, and find another less political org where people get promoted because of their talent. This would delay my promo by 1 year at least. 2. Leave the present team, and find another team within same org. Would delay my promo by at least 6 months 3. Leave Amazon, aim for other FANG companies. Possible risk of down level, and won’t get the autonomy to work as I would get as an L6 at Amazon. Or lastly 4. Stay in the same shitty org, wait for a quarter and see how things pan out. What should be my course of action here? Role: Tech, Yoe: 4, Tc: 210, Disappointment level: MAX
4. The best course of action is to develop the ‘people skills’ which you’ve identified you lack. The higher you go, the more the ‘game’ matters. You should be able to comfortably handle the politics that come with higher levels. If you think you’ll get promoted only because of your technical chops, you’re mistaken. Things rarely work that way. Personal relationships (secret handshakes) begin to matter more. This is true for any company.
So I should choose this option even if it means working with the same people who undermine you and don’t value your technical skills?
This is terrible advice. The right thing to do is to make 1 happen..yes your promo will be delayed by a year, but that year would be the most fun you will have in a while as you will be surrounded by technical people and like your work and be rewarded for technical skills. Caveat, it's hard to find such a team.
I face the same problem. Use this as a crucible. People skills are important. I realise this now.
I thought that was like an expectation when starting a career at financial firms
Best to partner and join the gang
Believe me I have tried, but my interests don’t match with them, plus I feel they are super unproductive at work
You definitely need to improve your signaling. Wear one of these and show people that you support the Big Ds
You should leave
TC is 210? No brainer:3. Being down leveled to L4 will get you 280-310+.
Hi, what’s your TC and level in Dropbox?
L6 gets autonomy?
Same boat. I can’t figure it out either..