This post by Naoko Takeda on their experience with the Block layoff (not being laid off but leaving anyway) is hardcore. I cannot express how much respect I have for people who have a strong ethical compass and act decisively. 👏

Instant block for anyone who even remotely attempts to piggyback on the Square/Cash App layoffs to advertise their product. Absolute vultures. 🚮

If there were a Mismanagement Hall of Fame, Jack Dorsey would be a first ballot inductee.

I am so fucking angry about the Square/Cash App layoffs (I refuse to call them by the other stupid name). It’s not about me, but it is about us, and I’m so tired of these assholes getting away with mismanaging companies so hard with zero consequences to themselves, and getting even richer from it.

People are the only thing that matter in companies. Every product you ship is because of their talent. If you actually believe you can slash 40% of that unique and precious resource and still survive long term, you’re already cooked.

The worst people you don’t know are coming out of the woodwork with their “thoughts” about AI and the Square Cash App layoffs. Now would be an excellent time to build up your mute / unfollow / block list. 🙅‍♂️

Kelly Vaughn on the Block layoffs:

“You don’t lay off 40% of your staff of 10,000 because of AI. You lay off that many people because you mismanaged your headcount. I’m not buying the AI excuse.”

This EXACTLY.

Dorsey sucked as Twitter CEO and the company burned to the ground. He sucks as the Square/Cash CEO and is in the process of burning it to the ground. He left the Bluesky board because he didn’t like the direction and the network is thriving.

One thing I’ve been historically terrible at doing is regularly keeping track of my accomplishments while they happen. Day to day all those small things you do which are “just part of the job” seem like they’re no big deal, but for an engineering manager (or any manager), all those little things in aggregate ARE accomplishments. And because they’re smaller they’re naturally much harder to recall later when you need them (eg, reviews, career development, interviews).

Liberally blocking / muting / unfollowing on LinkedIn is underrated. Might feel a little weird to cut someone off on a “professional network”, but it’s a way to guard your headspace against AI slop, influencer clickbait, and “what this life experience taught me about b2b sales” posts (yes, these actually still exist).

These aren’t going to be folks you’ll ever need or want to connect with anyway.