may 9, 2015 or how i began to think about nonlinear career development climbing off the ladder,...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
April 18, 2023
Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development
Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off.
![Page 2: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
2
Who is this Chris Angove person?
Graduated with BS in CS from the University of MichiganSpent 10 years as a C++ DeveloperStarted leading in 2005 (reluctantly)Associate Director of Engineering at Amplify in Brooklyn in 2012Joined Spotify as a Chapter Lead in 2013Always been interested in engineering culture and career development
![Page 3: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
3
Quick Overview of Spotify
![Page 4: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
4
![Page 5: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
Began with Agile, but process got in the way
At beginning process was vital to creating the team
As we grow, teams tried to figure out how to remain agile
Implement new structure in 2012
Continuously tweaking process
![Page 6: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
6
Alignment & Autonomy
Henrik Kniberg
Alignment
Do what I say!
Do what I say!
Autonomy
Do whatev
er
Do whatev
er
False dichotomy
False dichotomy
![Page 7: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
7
HighAlignment
High Autonomy
Build a bridge!Build a bridge!
MicromanagingorganizationIndifferent culture
Entrepreneurialorganization
Chaoticculture
AuthoritativeorganizationConformist culture
Innovativeorganization
Collaborative culture
We need to cross the
river
We need to cross the
river Figure out how!
Figure out how!
We need to cross the
river
We need to cross the
river
LowAlignment
Low Autonomy
Hope someone is working on
the river problem…
Hope someone is working on
the river problem…
Aligned Autonomy!
Henrik Kniberg
![Page 8: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8Not so original, original idea
PO PO PO
Tribe
Tribe lead
PO PO PO PO
Tribe
Chapter
Chapter
Tribe lead
PO
Chapter
Chapter Guild
![Page 9: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9Reality is Messy!
PO PO PO
Tribe
Tribe lead
PO PO PO PO
Tribe
Tribe lead
PO
Chapter
Chapter Guild
![Page 10: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
10
Aligned Autonomy- be autonomous, but don’t suboptimize- Spotify’s mission > Squad’s mission
Henrik Kniberg
![Page 11: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
11
Mutual respect
My colleagues are awesome!My colleagues are awesome!
Ego
Henrik Kniberg
![Page 12: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12
Walking the usual path
The Linear Ladder
![Page 13: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
13
Intern
Junior Developer
Senior Software Engineer
Architect
Team Lead
Director of Engineering
VP of Engineering
CTO
![Page 14: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
Each rung is clearly tied to role and responsibility
The Benefits of the Ladder
![Page 15: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
15
Path of Career Development is Clear
The Benefits of the Ladder
![Page 16: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16
Easy to get Resources
The Benefits of the Ladder
![Page 17: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
17
Value added to the company is obvious to all
The Benefits of the Ladder
![Page 18: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
18
Explicit path for respect and being recognized for achievements
The Benefits of the Ladder
![Page 19: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
19
Simplicity sometimes has it’s cost
What’s the Danger?
![Page 20: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20
Reality is rarely simple, more often it’s messy
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 21: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
21
We have usually preferred to keep structure flat, only defining positions based on role not seniority
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 22: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22
The only way to add value is predefined by structure
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 23: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
23
May not have the skill set or interest for the next level on the ladder
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 24: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
24
No way to try out things, moving down the ladder is difficult
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 25: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
25
Creates a factory to eject people due to limited management positions
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 26: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
26
May promote people beyond their abilities and thus out of the company
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 27: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
27
Ultimately it provides simplicity at the cost of actual career development
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 28: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
28
Assumes plateauing at a specific role is bad, but why?
What’s wrong with the ladder
![Page 29: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
29
There has to be a better way!
What’s wrong with the ladder
Right?!?!
![Page 30: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
30
An increasingly popular approach
Multiple Ladders
![Page 31: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
31The Technology Ladder
![Page 32: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
32
Creates a technology track to reduce skillset/interest mismatches
The Technology Ladder
![Page 33: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
33
Clearly sets up easy ways to recognize accomplishments
The Technology Ladder
![Page 34: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
34
Still very clear routes and roles setup as in linear ladder
The Technology Ladder
![Page 35: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
35
But….
The Technology Ladder
![Page 36: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
36
Limited as it still sets up explicit roles
The Technology Ladder
![Page 37: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
37
Usually gets muddled (http://bit.ly/1oS7H9l)
The Technology Ladder
![Page 38: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
38
Still assumes that the only way to grow is through more responsibility/control
The Technology Ladder
![Page 39: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
39
Does not answer how to experiment and switch roles
The Technology Ladder
![Page 40: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
40
What we call Add - Ons
A non-linear approach
![Page 41: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
41A nonlinear model
![Page 42: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
42
Roles defined by institutional need, not career advancement
A nonlinear model
![Page 43: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
43
Add-ons add both personal as well as business value
A nonlinear model
![Page 44: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
44
Interest and skill-set define which add-on the engineer chooses
A nonlinear model
![Page 45: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
45
It is engineer driven but supported by the company
A nonlinear model
Manager works with the engineer
Trainings, sessions, workshops provided as needed
Time off to participate in events approved
![Page 46: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
46
Driving forces:
A nonlinear model
![Page 47: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
47
Do things; tell people
A nonlinear model
You’re doing cool stuff that others would benefit from hearing about
You’re passionate about something and you’d like to see more of it
You’d like recognition for your efforts
![Page 48: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
48
Try Something New
A nonlinear model
Work is great but getting a little bored
You’d like to try something new, but not stop what you are doing
Not sure you want to risk switching roles completely
![Page 49: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
49
Get out of the Comfort Zone
A nonlinear model
You’d like to acquire new skills
You need to push yourself in a new direction
Shake things up to see what latent skills are there
![Page 50: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
50
Employee chooses add-ons or creates a new one:
A nonlinear model
Define Goal
Define Success Metrics
Define Help Needed
![Page 51: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
51
A Few Examples
A nonlinear model
Speaker
Trainer
Coach
Mentor
Writer
Architect
Evangelist
Road Manager
Open Sourcer
![Page 52: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
52
This is a work in progress
A nonlinear model
Testing our hypothesis now
Initial steps in 2013 were a bit slow
But we’re refining, check back with us soon!
![Page 53: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
53
This is not solved we need to innovateYes this is a call to action!Email me [email protected]
What are your ideas?
![Page 54: May 9, 2015 Or how I began to think about nonlinear career development Climbing off the Ladder, Before we fall off](https://reader031.vdocuments.mx/reader031/viewer/2022032518/56649ccd5503460f94998837/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
54
Check out spotify.com/jobs or @Spotifyjobs for more information.
Want to join the band?