The Sect of Rama

Today marks my twelve year anniversary at Sun. That's an eternity for any job, but seems at least four times that in the tech industry. Why so long? The primary reason is the people. I've worked with enough bosses and peers to recognize a good thing when I have it, so the years keep rolling by. Secondary is I believe in our products, more than ever. Sure I would certainly change lots of things at Sun when given the opportunity (everyone drives better from the back seat :)), but I find myself recommending our stuff to anyone who would listen- with what little reputation I have at stake- because I genuinely think they're the best. So I'm still here, and happy.

Today was also a tough one. I communicated to the team the details on my toughest role change since entering the work force: I've chosen to hang up the boss hat and don the worker bee hat once more, after a three year run. I've changed positions and orgs numerous times, but this is the first time it affects other folks so directly- so I've been mulling it over for a long time.

I hesitantly accepted the position because it was such a drastic departure from what attracted me to the field since grade school: creating stuff by writing code. Over the years, I've hired locally and internationally, absorbed existing teams, suffered attrition and dealt with RIFs, and more than anything learned the importance of team cohesion and what it means to be a good manager (and good report). I'd like to think it's been a net positive run for the team and the company- I know it has for myself. The team has been massively productive and the current group is super low maintenance. And they're all my friends, so it's even harder to walk away, partly because I feel it my responsibility to see them done right, partly because I may be spending less time with some of them.

So why change back to individual contributor? I've come up with lots of reasons both for it and against it. And I'm just as hesitantly switching roles again, this time to something that's currently undefined (dealing with the transition was the top priority, figuring out what's next is just starting to enter my mind.) But at the moment, it feels like our org has plenty of strong leadership but not enough folks in the trenches getting stuff done. So I'm picking up a shovel and getting back to work partly because it feels like the best thing for the extended team, partly because I know it'll be refreshing to get into it again.

I haven't ruled out switching back again at some point in the future. In fact my boss thinks it's just a matter of time before I ask for just that (and he tends to be right about this sort of thing.) Time will tell. :)