Bored Developers Aren't the Problem—Your Leadership Is
When 58% of professionals feel their skills are underused, boredom isn't a talent issue—it's a leadership one.
Engineering Leader
The Return of "Shut Up and Grind" Is Killing Tech Culture
Nicolas Cava
Edited onEdited on Aug 15, 2025
Reading timeReading time: 1 minute
The "shut up and grind" era is back. And it's making tech worse.
We've gone from building cultures of trust to cultures of fear. From empowering people to treating them as expendable.
Big Tech can get away with it. They have unlimited money to hire. You don't.
If you want to attract and keep top talent, your edge isn't fear. It's the best work experience you can offer. As leaders, we're supposed to set the example. Not abandon our ethics the second the power shifts back to us.
When you polarize employers and employees, nobody wins. If you only do right when it's convenient, you were never leading.
This isn't just the human thing to do. It's good business. If you want a company that survives the next boom without bleeding talent.
Are leaders today protecting culture—or exploiting the moment?
Related Resources
Recent Notes
Collaboration Overload Is Killing Productivity
Collaboration has ballooned to consume 85% of the workweek—slowing decisions, increasing conflict, and creating endless communication loops.
Engineering Leader
Decentralization Isn't Autonomy Without Power
Too many organizations hand out “autonomy” but keep the real power locked away. Over-standardization kills innovation.
Engineering Leader
How to Lead Without Losing Yourself
Leadership in today's corporate world is often stacked against people-first values, pushing leaders toward short-term profit over long-term integrity.
Engineering Leader
Leading Without Letting Emotions Take the Wheel
Most stress isn't from the problem itself—it's from the story we tell about it. Emotional detachment isn't coldness but discipline.
Engineering Leader
Shared Ownership Is Killing Your Team's Momentum
Shared ownership feels inclusive—but often stalls progress. Diffused responsibility slows decisions and leaves no one truly accountable.
Engineering Leader
Stop Managing Async Teams Like They're In the Office
Most leaders treat asynchronous teams like in-person ones—focusing on chasing tasks instead of fixing the system.
Engineering Leader
Stop Trying to Please Everyone
Chasing universal approval will only water you down. This post calls out the trap of molding yourself to fit others' opinions.
Engineering Leader
The Return of "Shut Up and Grind" Is Killing Tech Culture
Fear-based leadership is creeping back into tech—and it's eroding trust, ethics, and retention.
Engineering Leader