What's Painful

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Brianna

So. I ask you. Is it all perception and education, or is it really true that some are more equal than others?

The latter, I think. There are a couple of people that unfailingly make me feel dumb by comparison. I'm encouraged by the fact that there seem to be only a few of them. They're educated, but I think they just took more advantage of the education than others; I also know PhDs who are genuine dimbulbs.

And one of those people who makes me feel dumb is my boss. That's a unique challenge. :-)

[glatt]

I think the answer depends on who you surround yourself with.

Hang out with people at a university, and you're likely to feel dumb once in a while. Hang out at a prison, and you will feel a bit smarter.

I've felt both smart and dumb at various times.

I think the key is to surround yourself with people a little smarter than yourself so you feel chanllanged to be the best you can be, but not with people who are so smart you get discouraged.

[bluecuracao]

Somehow, I've managed to surround myself with smartasses.

[Rock Steady]

Originally Posted by glatt

I think the answer depends on who you surround yourself with.

Hang out with people at a university, and you're likely to feel dumb once in a while. Hang out at a prison, and you will feel a bit smarter.

I've felt both smart and dumb at various times.

I think the key is to surround yourself with people a little smarter than yourself so you feel chanllanged to be the best you can be, but not with people who are so smart you get discouraged.

I go thru that sort of thing a lot at different jobs. I often choose the most challenging situation. But, now I am a contractor at an all-star company full of brilliant and arrogant people that are often nasty to each other. I took this week off and I am not going back. I will write an email as such.

I interviewed at three companies this week. I had particularly good chemistry with one group and they plan to make me an offer early next week. Two of the guys worked with two guys I currently work with. In the interview we agreed not to talk about the other two at the arrogant company and that in itself was telling.

In the interview, talking at the whiteboard, we developed mutual respect. I'd like to work at a place where people are smart and demanding, but nice about it.

[xoxoxoBruce]

RS, I didn't think you were still contracting. Didn't you get fired and then hired as the new boss of the guy that fired you?

[Rock Steady]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

RS, I didn't think you were still contracting. Didn't you get fired and then hired as the new boss of the guy that fired you?

My story at this company is strange. While I was contracting, I was considered for an individual contributor position and a project director with managers reporting to me. At some point we agreed to drop the director position and they continued looking for a VP of Engineering. Then, the one manager fired me and another manager wanted me to work for his team, so I did a lateral move.

Now that the product is launched and has been running for six weeks, the revenue is much lower than expected. Part of the criteria for creating a new perm position for me is this revenue. I don't think it will happen. And, I think the business has certain flaws. So, I really need to move on.

Ironically, the firing manager cited early quality problems with my software, yet after it has run and monitored the company's production servers for six weeks, no issues were reported to the tracking system. My new rule is Never work for a Manager Half Your Age, Never.

[xoxoxoBruce]

My new rule is Never work for a Manager Half Your Age, Never.

That gets tougher every year.