StartupsAug 27, 2019
NewdsmalScnce

Boss/CEO left halfway through one week sprint that “decides fate of company”

I’ve been working for a smaller comp for almost 10 months. I am very loyal to my boss, who pulled me out of a job I hated to do something that I for the most part, love. He’s even hired two of my good friends. But he has a habit of going on vacations/trips at inopportune times. This one was planned well in advance, but it comes right when we are trying to ship our very complex MVP before EOD Friday: so that we can get VC funding, acquire customers, etc. if we don’t hit this deadline he said “we might not make it as a company”. Our funding runs out in November. He doesn’t even get back until a few days after the deadline. Something about this really doesn’t sit well with me: is this something indicative of poor leadership? It seems like a trip he should have cancelled.

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Amazon SmkWdEvyDy Aug 27, 2019

This just means he really trusts you all to deliver. Good leadership

Amazon SmkWdEvyDy Aug 27, 2019

Just kidding. Wtf is he on? That's crazy

New
dsmalScnce OP Aug 27, 2019

One point raised by someone else is that he’s lying about the severity of the situation... either way it makes me think less of him as a leader.

Microsoft UMbR31 Aug 27, 2019

He gave you a stretch target / early deadline. It's not the real date.

New
dsmalScnce OP Aug 27, 2019

I thought this as well, but he has meetings with potential clients next week. Some of whom are very important (granted, those ones are later in the week). There’s no way he’s lying about those either, I heard the calls that set them up.

Microsoft UMbR31 Aug 27, 2019

I was once in a startup where I was consistently lied to. I had ways to convince myself too, like you are doing now. Took me months to catch on...

Abbott username!! Aug 27, 2019

Why are you worries of his absence?

New
dsmalScnce OP Aug 27, 2019

It’s mainly just the principle of the situation. I’ve cancelled lots of plans to get shit done but now in the 11th hour yes bailing on us

Walmart QTFP86 Aug 27, 2019

That means he gave you something with perpetual looming threat so that you will work with an imagination of 🚀 in rear while he is making sure to have his WLB. That is how startup works

Uber uZ9mM Aug 27, 2019

Happy wife, happy life.

Yelp sJJv80 Aug 27, 2019

Bad optics, bad leadership and bad judgment. Do you really want to be in business with this person?

New
oeeL53 Aug 28, 2019

Better get off blind and get back to work

New
lHpK84 Aug 28, 2019

Sounds like he understands work life balance, trusts his team, and understands that there's nothing 1 single person can do to turn the tide in a week's time

SAP DCguy33 Aug 28, 2019

Bust your ass to meet deadline while pushing past “feelings” and setup a 1:1 with your boss when he returns. It sounds like you two have a good relationship and you should bring this up directly. Stop speculating! Its not going to help anyone.

Yelp sJJv80 Aug 28, 2019

No, fuck busting your ass, OP. You call that motherfucker on the beach and get an explanation. There’s no excuse for abandoning your own company when supposedly the business depends on what happens right now.

SAP DCguy33 Aug 28, 2019

This is stellar advice from @sJJv80. Go ahead and pack up your desk after making that phone call and tell your two best mates that were hired to do the same.

BeyondTrust phpMad Aug 28, 2019

Sounds like he's living it up while he can