Exec on the Desk

Un-actionable insights about corporate absurdity — from a modern work skeptic. Ex-accountant. Google outcast. SaaS marketer. 20-yr new media iconoclast.

[no earthquake (ear flu victim) @no_earthquake]

every time people say “the trenches” “grinding” “practicing” “you can just do things” “build build build” they re exclusively talking about being on the computer

[Justin Owings @justinowings]

"When all the little ants are marching,
"Red and black antennae waving,
"They all do it the same.
They all do it the same way."

[andrew blinn @disconcision]

this is what 100% of your hustle grindset striver posts sound like to me

[Justin Owings @justinowings]

Large organizations run in failsafe mode (to borrow on John Gall), meaning they are broken in all kinds of ways, most of which are opaque to the organization (or difficult to change).

Combine this idea with the late David Graeber's work on BS jobs and know that, at any given time, you can cut large chunks of an organization out, and it still operates just fine.

Look at what Musk did with Twitter (-80% jobs after acquisition).

Or look at any number of situations where the human body survives despite losing organs, limbs, or even half the brain.

Why you have to "cut off a leg" to heal the body (metaphorically speaking, i.e. at a corporation) may as well be an old wive's tale. And to be sure, the ones often telling leadership to make the "hard decision" are witch doctors wearing ties ... a.k.a. McKinsey consultants and MBAs.

The refrain of Amazon in their letter two days ago about the layoffs "reducing layers" and "removing bureaucracy" (they call this "staying nimble" and, yes, suggest it makes innovation happen). Remove the dead tissue.

This is all corporations in failsafe mode with lots and lots of (hidden) waste. You need a scapegoat to make cuts. Many are available, and many, many people are ready to point fingers.

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@LinkedInLunat1c Too stupid to be AI (regardless of "It's not X. It's Y")

[ᐱ ᑎ ᑐ ᒋ ᕮ ᒍ @Andr3jH]

reading Zero to One and having flashes of Peter Thiel doing this to you.

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@LinkedInLunat1c "Not jealous. Not weird."

Kuvaal. Bro. You're in denial. Posting this story and photo on LinkedIn = NGMI.

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@MFDOOMPOOP @LinkedInLunat1c Touche

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@randomrecruiter ... Or some variation of "It's not X. It's Y"
... Or uses hyphens but inexplicably puts an endash between a range of numbers

cc @UnAIify

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@unusual_whales "optimize ruthlessly"

What the f**k does that mean, Kobe Bryant?

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@LinkedInLunat1c This is v. good poast.

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@LinkedInLunat1c Bro thinks Lonkedin is ChatGPT.

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@startupbullsht @LinkedInLunat1c "You ask me about ARR? That's going to require a follow-up question. It will never end, and this is going to be an unhappy conversation. I don't want an unhappy conversation."

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@startupbullsht @LinkedInLunat1c "You ask me about ARR? That's going to require a follow-up question. It will never end, and this is going to be an unhappy conversation. I don't want an unhappy conversation."

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

This is what most SaaS collaboration apps actually produce.

Also most generative AI.

[Good Work @goodworkmb]

*performs work*

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@jaiyagill Optimization is unnatural. What is natural is to satisfice.

Also, in general, if you spot the words "optimize" or "efficient" (and their variations), prepare for half-baked ideas and bullsh*t.

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@LinkedInLunat1c I'll take "Things that didn't happen" for $500, Alex.

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

Linkedin job postings right now.

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@LinkedInLunat1c Get ready for a wild mox of overoptimization and no simplification.

Also all that salmon could lead to heavy metal poisoning. Worth checking.
https://t.co/cOXugb8Pze

[Exec on the Desk @execonthedesk]

@LinkedInLunat1c Promoted by Roam.

Good God imagine working there.