Valuable insights from an experienced manager. I strongly recommend that younger colleagues, especially those from Eastern Europe, take the time to read, understand, and put them into practice. Thank you for sharing, Vladimir—please keep up the excellent work.
I agree that it’s well framed and broadly applicable, far beyond just tech. That said, I still see much of it as a construct that exists less to drive real understanding and more to compensate for a persistent mix of ignorance and overconfidence in U.S. corporate culture. It’s effective, it scales, and it’s clearly the prevailing game—but that doesn’t make it intellectually honest. In many cases, it feels more like polished theater than substance.
Diagnosis of the issue could not be more accurate and tips you shared are definitely helpful. My comment was more about the state of US corporate culture.
Thank you for your comment, Blazo! I'm not quite sure whether you refer to the whole scaffolding that currently exists in the US corporate environment or to the tips I was sharing.
In either case, if one chooses to work in these circumstances, it is useful to understand how to increase chances of prospering. I've seen way too many brilliant people constrain their advancement due to communication style that can easily be beneficially adjusted.
Strongly agree. As someone raised in Slavic culture and now working in Western Big Tech, I’ve felt this tension firsthand. This dynamic isn’t limited to engineering either. It applies just as much to UX roles like mine, where direct critique, debating toward “truth,” and pushing on flawed assumptions can be misread as rigidity instead of care for quality.
Even at an M level, I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t fully mastered this way of operating yet.
The mindset shift from “winning” to partnering is hard, but essential.
Thank you for your comment Stefan! Creative conflict is a way to move forward in most cases. The problem tends to be how we debate (or don't). Some of that can be resolved organizationally, but a lot has to come from individuals being open on what kind of communication style they prefer.
This is such a gem and it hits home 100%. It is uncomfortably accurate in the best way. It felt like someone politely but very clearly called me out.
Thank you Pedja! I'm hoping my experience might be useful, so I'm trying to share it.
Valuable insights from an experienced manager. I strongly recommend that younger colleagues, especially those from Eastern Europe, take the time to read, understand, and put them into practice. Thank you for sharing, Vladimir—please keep up the excellent work.
Thank you very much for the kind words Milan! I hope folks find this useful.
I agree that it’s well framed and broadly applicable, far beyond just tech. That said, I still see much of it as a construct that exists less to drive real understanding and more to compensate for a persistent mix of ignorance and overconfidence in U.S. corporate culture. It’s effective, it scales, and it’s clearly the prevailing game—but that doesn’t make it intellectually honest. In many cases, it feels more like polished theater than substance.
Diagnosis of the issue could not be more accurate and tips you shared are definitely helpful. My comment was more about the state of US corporate culture.
Thank you for your comment, Blazo! I'm not quite sure whether you refer to the whole scaffolding that currently exists in the US corporate environment or to the tips I was sharing.
In either case, if one chooses to work in these circumstances, it is useful to understand how to increase chances of prospering. I've seen way too many brilliant people constrain their advancement due to communication style that can easily be beneficially adjusted.
Strongly agree. As someone raised in Slavic culture and now working in Western Big Tech, I’ve felt this tension firsthand. This dynamic isn’t limited to engineering either. It applies just as much to UX roles like mine, where direct critique, debating toward “truth,” and pushing on flawed assumptions can be misread as rigidity instead of care for quality.
Even at an M level, I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t fully mastered this way of operating yet.
The mindset shift from “winning” to partnering is hard, but essential.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your comment Stefan! Creative conflict is a way to move forward in most cases. The problem tends to be how we debate (or don't). Some of that can be resolved organizationally, but a lot has to come from individuals being open on what kind of communication style they prefer.