Thread by @mipsytipsy

Startups can be really brutal for people who place high value on a steady upwards career trajectory.

and that's most of us to some extent, whether aware of it or not. This is is why big companies hand out food pellets of achievement at scientifically calibrated intervals.

You can't really measure an IC's impact in a pool of thousands, so they devise an artificial substitute: levels, bonuses, reviews and ratings.

Honestly, I can see how this is a more equitable and rewarding game mechanic than playing the startup lottery -- and I don't mean the $

The lottery is unfair in lots of other ways too. Promotions, leadership roles, management opportunities don't get earned the same way, nor is there an unlimited supply of them.

You may have to choose between company you love and role you want to experience.

There's nothing wrong with wanting stability and predictable rewards for steady achievement.

(There's probably something wrong with those of us who are restless with such a cushy sweet gig.)

One of the funniest things ive ever seen was Facebook trying to use levels and promos and ratings to motivate and control my startup engineers. I gave it a shot, but they just laughed uproariously in my face.

FB directors were flummoxed. "Then... What do they *care* about?"

<me> Umm, I think they care about building the business, and each other, and our customers, and doing good work and learning and building new interesting tech..
<FB> but how do you get them to do what *you* want them to?
<me> 😮🤔

The interesting thing about startups that's hard to capture in all these pro/con lists, is how often and how radically they are shaped by passionate people... who bend and warp the trajectory of the company in their direction, just by being there.

You may hire person $x to perform a role, a critical component of your strategy. But they take everything you throw at them and more, so you're like "ok, what else could they do?"

or opportunities arise and you go "huh, $x might make this long shot actually happen."

A startup is nothing if not an accumulation of crazy long shot ideas, a few of which happened to actually pan out.

Startups: better for your health and finances than a serious long term gambling addiction.**

**Probably. Not by much.

But the potential for massive, game changing impact is why people with an over developed sense of responsibility flock to startups.

To be clear, the meritocracy is a lie and you sense of control is 98% illusion. But damn we will do anything for that 2%.