This podcast discusses the issues of technical founders and employees getting exploited and provides advice on avoiding such situations. It explores topics such as equity distribution, signs of exploitation, positive work situations, valuable education and opportunities, and navigating the world of software engineering and career progression.
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Quick takeaways
Evaluate the fairness of equity distribution and ensure it aligns with your value and contribution to the company.
Strive for inclusion in decision-making processes to ensure your contributions as a software engineer are valued and respected.
Deep dives
Equity and compensation
One of the main factors to consider as a software engineer is the equity and compensation you receive. It is crucial to evaluate whether the equity distribution is fair and based on the value you bring to the company. Additionally, if you are an early employee, ensure that you are not being undercompensated compared to the business founders. Strive for a situation where your equity aligns with your responsibilities and potentially life-changing rewards.
Decision-making inclusion
A key aspect to examine is the level of inclusion you have in the decision-making process. If you find that decisions are predominantly made by business people, without your input, and you are treated as merely a code-writing machine, it may indicate a situation of exploitation. It is important to be part of important discussions and have a seat at the table to ensure your contributions are valued.
Effort, opportunity, and company success
Consider the effort you put into your work and the corresponding opportunities you receive. If you are consistently putting in long hours and sacrificing personal time, while others in the company enjoy vacations and leisure, it may raise concerns of unfair treatment. Furthermore, evaluate whether the company's success aligns with the effort you invest. Feeling exploited can be linked to situations where your efforts go unnoticed or undervalued.
The stories are true: technical founders (and early technical employees!) often end up with the short end of the stick when starting a company.
In this episode of Dalton & Michael, we’ll discuss the questions and best practices that an aspiring technical founder should think about — whom to start a company with, and how to think about things like equity split and division of responsibilities. Know what you are worth and act accordingly!
Apply to Y Combinator: https://yc.link/DandM-apply
Work at a Startup: https://yc.link/DandM-jobs
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