I have 15+ years of experience. Most recently quit the corporate world as Director of engineering and started my own business. I’m not here to preach anything but simply offer my peace and moral support to those who are anxious and/or impacted by layoffs. I was there in Wall Street when the 2008/09 recession happened and massive layoffs was a weekly affair. This was the beginning of my career and it was one of the darkest periods of my career. The weeks were brutal and emotionally draining. On top of that, I was on a working visa which put me through anxiety day and night. I did survive the layoffs but saw most of my team including my manager impacted. I still vividly remember the day. I then had to lay off people most recently in 2019, this time from the other side of the table. Again, this was brutal and no one will ever rationalize this for you. You have to make your own peace. I was in the position of power as a leader but even then you can’t control the layoffs when the numbers are company’s priority. I could only infuse empathy and do this with grace. Few learnings from from my first experience: 1) I stopped taking my job too personal. It became a transaction between the company and me. I operate as a consultant though I’m a fulltime employee. It has served me well through out my career. 2) it doesn’t mean I don’t make personal connections at work, it just means I don’t make personal connection to the invisible entity called the company. I draw a boundary, I ethically deliver my results but I don’t over do it. I save the passion and energy for own life matters. 3) I started approaching work with empathy, developed it more towards others and every org I have managed. 4) put people over products - I cared more about the people than the company. I cared a more about people than the products they built. I sought mentors, mentees voluntarily and build great relationships. This is not all of it, but hope it provides some framework to operate and puts you in a healthy state of mind. If you ever get impacted, look for what you have learnt and who is your network now, and move on. Anxiety before and after layoffs is not going to serve you but building your mindset will. If anyone who is anxious and/or impacted - Please DM me and I can offer you free coaching session on how to get through this. Will I be able to solve your situation - perhaps not, but hope I can be a good sound board and provide you guidance. Cheers and good luck. www.coachselvan.com #resilience #coaching #techcompany #layoff Ps: I do not work for Uber anymore, and I left on good terms in early 2022. I had moved to another company after that. But retained my handle as Uber employee on blind.
What is net worth that made you quit corporate world. that is really helpful
Not trying to deflect the direct question, but I assume you are asking about the financial goals and that’s subjective. So I didn’t keep that as the barometer, I wanted to focus on my passion projects and wanted freedom of time. So I waited for right time and made the transition. Infact, I have traded for time and left money on the table. I’m fully contend with that.
No worries. Most of folks save enough to leave corporate. Advise/coach others to leave corporate for their passion. That is why I ask.