Losing Faith
I was in a meeting this afternoon and realized that I've really lost faith in The Shop's ability to pull itself out of it's current problems in a reasonable timeframe. Moreover, I'm not really sure that I'm interested in trying to fix the problems here. Maybe that makes me less committed than those willing to stay, but I think that a lot of people here are here simply because it's a relatively easy paycheck. I just don't see the kind of commitment and passion that I've seen in the past that leads to real, substantive, change.
It's not just The Shop - it's also that I have management that's trying to be technically savvy, but really should just step out of the way and realize that their technical skills are really non-existent, and if they want second opinions to my advice (which is always OK), they need to ask someone else. Me explaining the pros and cons of a technical decision isn't really helping because there's no real opposing position. Having the non-technical manager trying to be that "devil's advocate" isn't feasible because he doesn't know the right questions to ask.
I'm just finding myself frustrated by all these encounters.
We have what appears to be a completely dysfunctional communication system between managers of essential groups... we have a pandemic of mediocrity in the development groups... and there seems to be no one in the upper management that is either aware of these issues, or interested in tackling them. While I can understand that changes to these things will take time, I don't see any evidence that any change is occurring at all.
When I voice my concerns to my manager, he says there are changes, but what I can't understand, and he can't explain is why some simple issues like the egos causing communication problems is allowed to exist for even one more day. While I know it's not my company, this is having an effect on everyone as it seems very clear that this situation is allowed to exist, even perpetuate, and it's soon going to be time to start choosing sides.
Why? It makes no sense to me.
If you have a major problem, set forth a plan saying how you plan on attacking it, and then do your best to do that. If you have two highly-paid professionals that are acting more like 5-year olds than professionals, get them in a room and treat them like the 5-year olds they appear to want to be.
Or offer them both a generous severance package and show them the door. That would certainly get other people's attention. The message would be loud and clear: No more. Period.
But this place doesn't believe in that - clearly. So I'm really left with no choice but to admit that I don't understand why this place functions as it does. That disconnects me from this place in a very fundamental way. From there, it's not far to the loss of faith.
I'm sad to see this come to pass. I'd love to see something give me hope that real, substantive change is in the offing. I want to see that spark - even if it's just from a small group of people. Something to make me believe again.