Remember the tech culture utopia we all envied? A laid-back world of t-shirts and jeans, gourmet snacks, flexible hours, enviable perks, and jaw-dropping salaries for work that seemed like sorcery to outsiders. Who could have predicted its downfall would unfold like this?
In a whirlwind week, we’ve witnessed seismic cuts at some of the industry’s titans. While all appear devastating, let’s dissect these recent chops into the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
A plan without knowledge of the culture
The deal is complete, video footage of Elon Musk strolling into his newly acquired kingdom, kitchen sink in tow. By no means a cute entrance especially when axing half the workforce. He set a chilling new precedent in the tech world.
Typically, a new executive might deliver a flowery speech about transformation, with subtle hints of impending “rightsizing.” Not here. No such elegance graced this bloodbath.
When a reset will be the best next step
It’s comparable to a bridezilla on her big day or a toddler hoarding toys. Both scenarios inevitably end in a mess of tears and snot. Then reality hits: no man is an island. Within days, it’s time to swallow that bitter pill of humility.
How else can we interpret such a theatrical entrance? It’s a masterclass in cultivating uncertainty, leaving employees frantically polishing resumes and burning midnight oil job-hunting. No self-respecting professional will stick around, waiting for a volatile leader to change course with the wind.
Remember: your leadership style will forever shape your company's culture.
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Company demise vs. culture demise
In tech, “innovation” is the unspoken mantra. So when a leader who’s been surfing the wave for two decades suddenly faces a challenger, can we forgive the complacency?
Business offers no guarantees. Countless case studies chart the fall of giants who rested on their laurels. A cardinal rule in this game: keep moving, or kiss that top spot goodbye.
Credit where it’s due: this leader publicly shouldered the blame. Slashing 13% of the workforce came only after the company haemorrhaged an eye-watering chunk of its value.
A culture moving in the right direction
So, they’re trimming employee perks, closing offices, and letting people go. All in the name of saving the company and shielding the remaining 87% of the workforce.
Unlike a blind panic, this approach seems measured. There’s talk of severance packages and extended perks. Getting the boot is never cause for celebration, especially in these turbulent times. But here we glimpse a leader with heart. It’s not about winning a popularity contest; it’s about making tough calls for the greater good.
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My final words on tech culture
At some point, difficult times will occur, and it will be a matter of sink or swim. The Titanic has suddenly come to mind. The controversial ending and whether there was enough room on that floating piece of debris. When the going is good, it is for the leadership team to decide on the best course of action.
In both examples, the team was cut, yet the process of how they chose to deal with the crisis is the difference between a bruise and a scar for life. Curate a culture with policies and procedures that ensure your internal community is respected to the point where the door closes with their final goodbye.
As The Ethical Strategist, I’ll leave you with this: a structured approach and solid policies are your compass through turbulent waters. They won’t eliminate emotions – we’re human, after all. But stay true to your word, and you’ll avoid lasting bitterness.
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