The 2023 tech market: an opportunity

“I was hired to fuel growth, but they held me back; I thought I would soar, but they clipped my wings.”

I hear this recurring theme A LOT from practically everyone in tech. Honestly, I used to feel the same.

This type of thinking only leads to suffering. Especially in today’s market.

I am positive that you -

• are spread thin

• work more than full time, >100%

• carry out tasks that aren’t in your job description

I am also positive that you feel your colleagues/managers/teams -

• aren’t easy to work with, are argumentative, aren’t cooperative

• don’t appreciate you for your efforts

• can do their job better

• can put in more effort and struggle, just like you are

Rather than focusing on others, let’s focus on YOU

I’ve always told my teams - “the moment you stop learning and growing, the best thing you can do is quit and move on”

Right now, the market needs to do more with less. Everyone has over-promised and is under-delivering.

If you were lucky enough to escape layoffs, you must remind yourself that everyone has it rough. From top to bottom. From the CEO down to the last employee.

For the company, it’s a HUGE setback, but for YOU, it’s an opportunity!

• by being spread thin, working “too much” you will gain immeasurable experience

• by stepping into roles outside your own, you broaden your skill set, becoming an adaptable professional

• by getting used to working in demanding conditions, you build resilience

• by dealing with difficult colleagues/managers, you improve communication skills and exercise your empathy muscle

When the turbulence subsides, you’ll be -

• a better employee

• a better manager

• better equipped to handle future roles

• more resilient

But MOST importantly, you’ll be happier - the most important KPI.

I’m not telling you not to leave your job, but do it only if your career growth is stunted.

Yesterday a good friend framed it perfectly - “You are being paid to learn”.

Rather than paying for a course/therapy/coach, you are financially rewarded while working on your professional growth.

It truly is the BEST and FASTEST way to learn.

Try to enjoy it.