[clipsy]

I think an important question here is: why do you think that joining/founding a startup will be any different? If you were actively trying to take initiative at your current position and being rebuffed (which certainly can happen in FAANG and other large companies) I could understand why you'd feel that way, but it sounds like you haven't tried, and I'm skeptical that a change of jobs will suddenly inspire you to be more ambitious.

[throwaway757]

Good point about initiative, should have listed in the facts section: shared a few proposals on how to improve things in my org and it didn’t go anywhere. Two reasons 1) don’t have funding atm 2) reorg where bought in leader left. The reality is my org is not in a growth mode. HC is 0 for this year and next most probably

[clipsy]

Fair enough, the fact that you've been trying here and there suggests that it's possible things would be better at a startup. That's a tough decision to make, I certainly wouldn't feel confident telling you one way or the other is the "right" choice. But I would suggest a few other possibilities that you may not have considered yet:

- If your current role is in a non-growth area and you're a good performer, maybe see what your options are in terms of transferring to a team that better matches what you're looking for?

- You've mentioned side projects in the context of financial independence; have you considered side projects or hobbies as a way of finding meaning that you're lacking at work?

- If you haven't already, consider seriously discussing career growth with your manager -- any decent manager should be interested in helping you find opportunities.

Also keep in mind differences in work-life balance.