None of these details are meant to be personally identifiable. And I don't represent them (obviously).
Also worth noting that anything negative, or positive, may have changed since I worked there.
- Don't build your moat on a part of the product which is well understood that it will be replaced soon. Also keep a lookout for your moat being endangered, build a different one then.
- Don't think that because most people "like" you, one important guy disliking you can't spell your fate.
- Don't bite off more than you can chew, in terms of responsibilities.
- Sound the alarm early and loudly when you can't keep up anymore. If others find out without you telling them, they'll be upset.
- Rely on non-measurables when everybody else is evaluated on non-measurables. Rely on measurables when everybody else is evaluated on measurables. Discern which one is the case.
- Sub-note for future endeavors: you can probably force others to hold you accountable on deliverables, and then you can bend some rules, because you're delivering. I.e. you don't need to keep up with comms because you're delivering. In fact make sure you do this, otherwise your Deep Work time will suffer to the comms hive mind.
- Remote is really hard. And if you're the only one in a different timezone, that's your end. You are out of communication with everybody then.
- Even if it seems silly to follow trends (and it is), do not ignore them within your company. If everybody thinks vibe coding is the way to go, you not doing so puts you in the spotlight.
