[pdimitar]

I don't see how the market is humming along for anyone.

Then again, I have zero network. Maybe you can just call someone on the phone and jump ship next week? I can't. Many other people cannot as well.

My idea right now is to find ways to do things mostly my way and introduce a near-perfect meritocracy in my team. No seniors or juniors; I am technically "the most senior" but we all have differing and unique experiences. I share my experiences and when I feel stronger about something I make it clear why but I don't go sad in the corner if the other engineers overrule me.

Regardless of how the market is, I like getting along with people. Of course sometimes (actually: often) it's not possible in which case either a team restructuring should be done, or one should indeed leave (which is the nuclear option; not just "oh well, things did not work out").

[satvikpendem]

> I don't see how the market is humming along for anyone. Then again, I have zero network

I mean, yeah, that's the issue. Even without a network my LinkedIn is full of recruiter spam because my profile is optimized, which is a skill anyone can learn and do, same concept as SEO.

> I like getting along with people.

Sure, who doesn't? The issue is when one becomes a doormat, just as in other social situations; in this case, it'd be being nice to others when in reality you'd need to be firm but fair that their writing huge PRs is negatively affecting everyone else. It's the paradox of tolerance applied to the engineering world.

[pdimitar]

Yeah, you are sadly right. Took me a long time to stop being a doormat. Not sure I am nailing it even now to be honest, but I am doing _much_ better compared to two years ago.