Hmmm. I thought Netflix was famous for their “dream team” philosophy and “keeper test” where nearly everyone is constantly on the edge of receiving a “generous severance package” (“but don’t worry, at least you can say you played for a dream team!”)
Had no idea you could engineer your severance package. That's pretty smart.
I had a similar experience at Google (with the only difference being haven taken a pay cut). Had a few cool months, eventually got disinterested in the work, tried to move laterally, failed upon learning of the year-long minimum to transfer internally, got a pre-PIP conversation, left for a better place. Got questioned by everyone for a while after that; almost the same questions, actually.
I wish everyone realized this too is a form of worker exploitation. Most of us are working dead end jobs at the end of the day, and not letting you have career progression is almost like a paycut, they absolutely can give you superior roles that you are able to perform they just withhold them.
It's not that "they withhold them" - it's the sad fact that most companies only need a handful of very talented engineers and architects to solve the really big and exciting problems, but an army of developers to implement their LOB apps that are soul crushing. There simply isn't a need for that many high level problem solvers in most companies.
It's normal to recognize that you want to do something else. I highly encourage everyone to check in on whether their job gives them what they're looking for. It's also normal for output to suffer when you're unmotivated.
But personally I wouldn't work for, or with, a guy who deliberately set out to do the bare minimum to not get fired. Never mind your boss, that usually means you're just being a dick to your colleagues or the people who work with you at a level of less privilege.
It's possible that every word of this is true, but I'm skeptical. The man has a new startup to publicize and the "why I quit" narrative is an essential part of Our Incredible Journey. Here he establishes that he was just too amazing for Netflix to contain.
This clip from Jon Stewart's New podcast sums it all up for me. People want to be fulfilled, intellectually and socially, from their jobs. They don't simply want the maximization of salary, societal benefit/value, praise, etc. They just want to be fulfilled doing interesting work they feel utilizes their talents to make the world better (or at least not worse).
"pre-emptive severence package... save you some money and not drag this out" .. i'm definitely saving this article as that is a wonderful way to frame the discussion
When I was younger I thought that if I ever made what I make now, I would do that job for 10 years and I would be set for life. I've been doing it for more than 10 years now and am not set for life.
Depending on cost of living that amount doesn't go as far as you might think if you are talking a modest single family home in a decent neighborhood, small family, and an upper middle class lifestyle.
I really wish I could do this. This is privilege that H1Bs don't have. I hate my job despite it being well-paid ($900k/yr). I wish the system were more equal.
1) I can never understand why an engineer would want to be a PM. 2) This article doesn't reflect well on the author's character. I understand playing the game, but his interactions with his manager and the firing come off as pretty slimy.
There’s golden handcuffs, then there’s being a golden turd.