Yet another micromanagement rant

New
nosmarter

New

nosmarter
Aug 24, 2021 14 Comments

I just began working at mid-level startup about three weeks ago. I was hired because I have decades of experience in data architecture and implementations. I've build everything from embedded database apps to massive, mission-critical data platforms for fortune 500 firms. I've written books, articles, and hey - I even built a SQL engine from scratch.

Anyway, it seems they hired a new CTO and software engineering director a week before I got here. They each have a weekly one on one with me where they get disappointed with the work I've done so far. One guy wants me to catalog and draw a Visio diagram of the entire architecture as it exists right now - and the other guy keeps berating me about not being done with the architecture for a new, completely undefined project. He was on my case starting on day 6 after I arrived. Then they're asking me to gather all the requirements for the project - but I'm not the product manager. Then the other guy says I need to push the other developers, but I'm not a manager.

Their approach so far has been to declare all the engineering done up to now as "shit" (which it's not as far as I can see). And they insist on endless "workshops" which consist of moving virtual post-it notes on virtual whiteboards.

To make matters even worse - they both keep coming up with these half-baked "data models" they created and they post them for the company to see. They'll do this even though I've already created mine and posted them as well.

Both of these guys are friends from a previous company, the same company the CEO used to work for. They just hired yet another guy from there yesterday. So they're too politically connected for me to complain to anyone at this point.

I believe that their approach at understanding the architecture is flawed, but that's fine. The issue I have is that I can't use the approach I have used successfully for years now because they think I'm getting too far into the details. So I'm getting ready to lift my foot off the archiotecture pedal and let them proceed, since there's no way I can successfully fight them on this.

This sucks for two reasons. I otherwise like the company and the people I'm working with and I believe in the viability of the business. Also - leaving (or getting fired) now would make me seem flaky as hell to employers.

If anyone has any thoughts - I'm listening ;)

#tech

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  • Just quit and get a different jobβ€” seems like your potential there is limited by the new political situation
    Aug 24, 2021 0
  • Although I don't have that much of vast experience as you have. But I was in the same situation once when try my hand with a Start-Up company. I learned Stack of technology to become productive from day one.Apart from that I was grooming my subordinates and doing all the work as well. But one day same comment I got like you got and then I understand if my 200% cannot satisfy you then I should not be here and I resigned within an hour and leave the company same day. This world is beautiful sometimes our decisions make us miserable so just leave without notice. Hope it will help.
    Aug 24, 2021 0
  • Uber
    msndm

    Go to company page Uber

    msndm
    Sounds like a shitty situation. I dont think anyone would blame you for leaving.
    Aug 24, 2021 0
  • Sometimes it just help to ask them for the big picture and then how the work they are asking you to do fits the big picture. If they have no clue the run πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ.
    Aug 24, 2021 1
    • New
      nosmarter

      New

      nosmarter
      OP
      Yes, I tried that. They each have a different, equally vague, view of what the big picture is. I acn't even get them to express with any clarity what they expect from me.
      Aug 24, 2021
  • New
    BitClick

    New

    BitClick
    As others have said, find another job. You can easily explain that the situation (management) changed beyond your control and you weren't doing what you were hired for.

    If you're ranting now, think about what you would be doing six months or year from now if you stay? Put some value on your mental health and well being.

    If I were you, I'm working on my exit strategy and lining up interviews and at the same time praising my new bosses for their highly thought out and world class architecture.
    Aug 24, 2021 0