logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
30m 52s

Episode 417: Should I tell my boss I'm c...

JAMISON DANCE AND DAVE SMITH
About this episode

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions:

  1. Hey guys, love the show! (Insert joke here so you’ll read my question) Should I tell my boss I’m discouraged and have checked out? I’m the frontend lead for a project where I’ve recently gotten the vibe that the project isn’t really that important to the organization. The project is already over schedule and they have recently moved a few engineers off to other teams. Should I talk to my manager and try to work with him to get over these feelings, or should I just begin the job search? I’m 2 years into my first job, so it feels like it might be time to move on anyways. What do you all think? Thank

  2. Hi! I’m part of a team of 5 devs with an inexperienced Product Manager who is in way over his head. He was a support agent who, during the acquisition of our startup, somehow convinced the parent corporation to make him PM despite the fact that he had no experience within Product whatsoever.

    The corporation didn’t give him training, he has no experience in Product, and it shows. Our features are single sentences copied from client emails, and our top priority is whatever the conversation is about.

    He is argumentative when we try to talk about it, despite the fact that all of us are careful to avoid blaming him. We’ve tried talking to him one on one, in small groups, as the whole team. No luck.

    The Engineering Manager is at his wits end on how to handle this situation because:

    1. EM has no jurisdiction over PM
    2. The org’s “matrix” structure means EM’s manager has no working relationship with PM’s manager
    3. After many chats we’ve had with PM’s manager, his solution was for dev to pick up the slack instead - at one point our whole dev team was made to sit in *daily* 2hr long “refinement” sessions, spec-ing out empty features and writing user stories to try to sort out our backlog and roadmap - for 6 weeks straight

    PM’s skip level manager won’t give us his time. How do we deal with this situation when our lowest-common-manager is the CEO of this ~2000 person company, and PM himself is completely closed off to any constructive conversation from anyone who isn’t above him in the org chart?

    Love the show! Thanks for reading :)

Up next
Aug 18
Episode 474: I hate the idea of firing a low performer and cheaper context switching
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Dave & Jamison, Long time listener, first time google-form filler outer! I work in a hybrid role as a lead developer and manager of a small team (less than 5). I’m new to management and most of ny experience so far has ... Show More
38m 4s
Aug 11
Episode 473: Mental health support and overcoming FOMO of taking a break from work
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hi Jamison and Dave! I am not a developer, but my question is hopefully transferable. I sit in between lawyers and developers. I advise on technology that can be applied to legal processes and I support our teams in using ... Show More
35m 59s
Aug 4
Episode 472: Should my junior dev use AI and thrown in to ETL
In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: I’m the CTO of a small startup. We’re 3 devs including me and one of them is a junior developer. My current policy is to discourage the use of AI tools for the junior dev to make sure they build actual skills and don’t jus ... Show More
26m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
PMs Are Screwed (Here’s Why)
You’re not ready for this!David Pereira exposes the 3 traps killing product teams, hot takes on b******t management, fake strategy, and what it really means to be a 10x PM.Brought to you by:Maven: Get $100 off David's Mastering Product Discovery course using my code AAKASHxMAVEN ... Show More
1h 4m
Mar 2025
625: Melody Wilding - Effectively Managing Up, Designing Your 1:1s, Getting Paid What You're Worth, Creating The 1 Pagers, & Earning The Triple Win
Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk Notes: “I sensed something was terribly wrong when I dialed into the conference line at 8:00 a.m. and heard an unfamiliar voice. “Hi, Mel ody, I’m Janine. I’m with an external HR firm. Unfort ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2024
MBA2525 Q&A Wednesday: How do I fire a long-time employee?
Facing the tough task of letting go of a long-term employee and not sure how to go about it? Letting someone go is never easy, especially when they’ve been a key part of your team for years. How do you handle it in a way that’s fair, compassionate, and keeps your business moving ... Show More
24m 18s
Nov 2024
The power of neurodivergence in the workplace (w/ Master Fixer Ludmila Praslova) - Part 2
Looking for a new job can be daunting for everyone. When you’re neurodivergent, the stakes can be even higher in your search for the right role, team, and culture. How can you make the experience less frustrating and more liberating? In part two of Anne and Frances’s conversation ... Show More
36m 24s
Sep 2023
My Boss Sucks...
Next up on our re-release schedule is a timeless classic! We’re heading all the way back to the Season One for this fan favorite – “My Boss Sucks” to help our listeners deal with their bad bosses. “Conflicted on the Crew” wants to know if and how he should intervene on a difficul ... Show More
32m 56s
Oct 2024
327: How to Fire Someone Without Feeling Like the Bad Guy with Jackie Koch
Have you ever had to fire someone and lost sleep over it? Firing someone isn’t as easy as saying, “You’re fired!”. If you’ve been through it, you know just how tough it can be–emotions run high, and it’s hard not to feel like you’re the bad guy.That’s why I sat down with an HR ex ... Show More
31m 29s
Feb 2025
Quick Fixes: How to level up, job craft, and manage colleagues you can’t stand
In this Quick Fixes episode, Anne and Frances work to solve three different callers’ tricky work problems in under 20 minutes. One listener searches for the best way to level up his small business, the next plans to approach their manager about a dramatic role change, and a final ... Show More
18m 39s
Dec 2023
Managing My Manager (Help!)
During a recent Managing Up presentation, Mary received some questions about dealing with a variety of bosses. She thought it would be fun to get Chris’ input on them, too! Tune into this week’s episode to learn how to work with an impulsive boss, ask for help when you’re spread ... Show More
32 m