Dear readers,
If you're new here, welcome to Faangboss, where I write stories about building design, technology and ourselves.
I've narrated an audio version of issue, whatchy'all think about reading vs listening?
In this issue:
* 👍🏻 The good: conference and breaks
* 👎🏻 The bad: burnout and rto
* 🔥 The ugly: credit thieves
👍🏻 The good
👩🏻💻 Attending Grace Hopper Conference next week (Philly, 9/7-9/11). After attending Amazon women's leadership training (Ten learnings from women leadership training), I was eager to join more women conferences designed to bring research, technologists, and computing. GHC is focused on Data Science, AI, HCI, Open Source, Software Development and more. I picked this over Config 😜 because instead of going to a marketing event about design tool, there are sessions for C-level and super seniors. If you are going in-person, drop me a note.
🔕 Took a well deserved 2 days off work. I've been harassed by automated work emails that my PTO is no longer accruing because the limits been reached. I was in Seattle for work and spent time with my summer intern before she returned to Stanford. 🥹🐣 My mom came up for the weekend and I survived it with Seattle's touristy stuff.
👎🏻 The bad
🔥 Burnout and dropping the ball on writing. 🦗 ::: crickets ::: I've been quiet. I was at the edge of burnout and didn't feel inspired to write. Writing is about designing word choice, sequencing the order, and structuring the flow to maximize clarity and intent. In the next 6–9 months, I hope to uplevel where the mechanics of writing will occupy less time, so I can spend more effort on crafting the message.
🎥 Running behind schedule on content creation. I started filming a YouTube series called “Speed run to Senior" in March. The purpose of this series is to help junior designers overcome obstacles in this tough job market. It is hard to balance a full-time job, home life, health, writing, and creating social media content. I don't know how people have the mental capacity, I feel like I'm juggling 20 plates at once. Read more about the project: AMA: A word from my mentee...
💣 Five days in office and flattening management. If you know me, you know that I've hated corporate culture my whole life. If only we didn't have to find out about company policies in the press. They will turn the dials to unbelievably spicy and hot to see which employee jumps. It's a perfect lay-off. Have your portfolios ready. I'm screwed because mine's aging with old work from four years ago. The other night, I spent seven hours fucking around with font pairings instead of updating the content. I'm on Akkurat Pro and Plantin combo, see it on https://catlo.design. I know this slaps because validated at Typewolf.
🔥 The ugly
This is a hard story to share. ❤️🩹
Not everyone you work with or for will give you credit when it is due. This is a widespread problem in corporate, where everyone looks out for themselves. People will do anything to get what they want, no matter the cost.
I am generous with my time and help my colleagues without hesitation. I've had several bad experiences in my career where I've had designers steal my designs, modify them slightly, and present them as their own. Software development managers have tried to take credit for my research work that is not even in their job family.
The toxic distrust lasted two quarters. Management did not help or take action to unblock. I resigned from the team, leaving the individual who solely prioritized their own self-interest. They prevailed. Survival is a priority.
I was forgetting about this toxic ending when the only project I worked on for four months on was launched. In the launch announcement email where credit is posted, my name is conveniently left out.
I quit because I knew this behavior would happen months in advance, but it's shocking when the nightmare turns out the way you thought it would. I mistakenly believed these people to have basic human integrity.
The act of reliving this tale induces PTSD. There are mornings where my emotions boil and rage. When I told management about this, they didn't respond.
This hurt so much that I decided to fight back and confront the owner. I have documented the fake ass apology and oversight.
This was no oversight.
I considered going to HR. I wondered if I should keep letting my anger burn me or let it go for my health. Confronting the person was enough for me to move on. Professionally, I consider them dead.
Why people do this:
* Stealing is the fastest way of getting noticed without doing work.
* They need to conceal their shortcomings because they suck at their job and lack skills. They are threatened and must put others down to raise themselves up.
* Self-importance and inflated ego in white males in corporate are statically higher than women in white males.
We are powerful. I will never allow my bad experiences to undermine my beliefs of kindness. I hope to inspire you to have courage and strength when fighting is necessary.
Have a great week ahead,
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