From Unemployed Subscriber to Director in 3 Years (Ray Ojel) - KNN Ep. 164
Aug 23, 2023
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Former unemployed subscriber, Ray Ojel, shares how he became a director in just 3 years. He discusses his rapid progression, making himself indispensable, and advice for juniors to make real impact. They also talk about building dependable relationships, the importance of intuition in data science, and reflecting on progress and self-validation.
Hard work, quick learning, and support from employer are key to fast career progression.
User-centric thinking and prioritizing user experience enhance the value of development solutions.
Intuition and understanding the 'why' behind coding decisions are crucial for effective problem-solving.
Deep dives
Progressing Quickly in a Career
The podcast episode focuses on the guest's journey from being a junior data analyst to a director of product development in just three years. It highlights the importance of hard work, dedication, and luck in career progression. The guest attributes his success to his work ethic, his ability to learn quickly, and the support and recognition he received from his employer.
The Importance of Understanding User Needs
The podcast episode emphasizes the significance of considering user needs and designing solutions accordingly. The guest shares how his initial code lacked user-centric thinking, but through feedback and guidance, he learned to prioritize user experience and design solutions that are easy to use. The guest highlights the value of conceptualizing the purpose and functionality of features to create meaningful and practical applications.
The Role of Intuition in Development
The podcast episode discusses the role of intuition in development and problem-solving. It suggests that having intuition is more valuable than extensive theoretical knowledge. The guest emphasizes the importance of understanding the why behind coding decisions and approaches, rather than just knowing how to implement them. Developing intuition enables developers to make informed decisions, choose appropriate models or algorithms, and design effective solutions.
Importance of Having a Close-Knit Team
Developing a close-knit team where team members are deeply involved and care about the company and its mission is crucial. When team members have a strong connection and love for the work environment, they are more motivated to go above and beyond. They feel a sense of personal responsibility for the success of the business and are driven to deliver excellent results. This level of commitment also extends to how they handle problems or challenges. For example, when a client is not happy, it becomes a bigger deal because it reflects on the team and individuals personally. Having a team that genuinely cares about each other and the company's success strengthens the overall work ethic and drive to excel.
The Challenge of Scaling Companies and Maintaining Alignment
As companies grow beyond a certain point, maintaining the same level of alignment and camaraderie among team members becomes challenging. This is influenced by a concept known as Dunbar's Number, which suggests that humans can comfortably maintain meaningful relationships with around 150 people. Once a company surpasses this number, individuals may start to prioritize personal interests over the greater mission. However, it is important for leaders to continuously strive to keep the community tight-knit. This can be achieved through various methods, such as creating different teams, fostering strong relationships, and emphasizing the importance of shared values. Building strong connections and maintaining an aligned team culture helps mitigate potential challenges that arise with company growth.
Today I had the pleasure of bringing back Ray Ojel to the podcast. He was an early subscriber who landed his first job the last time I talked to him. Now he has reached the director level in just 3 years. In this episode we talk about how he was able to progress so quickly, how he made himself irreplaceable to his company, and he also gives his best advice for juniors to make real impact on the job.
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