Should I stay or should I go?

In this week's episode of This Week in Quality, we talked about grief. Grief may be a strange topic to talk about in technology, but I think it's an important one. Much of the industry is shifting. Many of us in tech enjoy the process of discovering where a bug is, writing a test case, writing automation scripts, and in general, investigating how to solve a problem. When these scenarios are given to AI to solve, it can feel like something is being taken away from us. A refusal to not feel those feelings bars us from understanding where we need and sometimes where we need to go.

Eamon Droko asked the question if it's possible to change the culture of an organization, and I offered to share my thoughts here. Ady Stokes shared a powerful story of how you can offer evidence as a way to change an organization from the inside out. I recommend everyone listen to his answer and add that option to reflect on what's possible. 

My answer is a bit different. For me, it's about energy. I care a lot about the job I do. I'm proud of my work, and having teammates beside me who at least care enough goes a long way. However, if I find myself in a situation where I am the only person that cares, and the only person speaking up, I have to broaden my perspective and ask, "Is what I'm doing worth it in the organization I'm in today"?

I am not only a person who works. I have a family, a life, and other priorities that need my time and attention. If my job is taking up too much emotional space, my other priorities start to suffer. First, I get tired. Then I'm not able to fulfill commitments I've dedicated myself to. I pull back on other priorities and try to take care of myself mentally. At some point, I have to look boldly at whatever it is that is causing me so much stress. 

Ask yourself?

The industry will continue to shift, probably in ways that we can't yet imagine. Being willing to be honest with ourselves, at the end of each day, is the only way forward that makes sense for me. The more human we can be, the easier it will be to find our way.