FA+
Shop
Being the hero sucks.
8 years ago
So I'm off at a job site today, getting the system we've spent years developing and months installing on the site ready to go. A few quirks, but nothing we can't work around to get things running for the time being. We get the testing done, I go around doing some fixing, and then go to work with the staff while we fire things up.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a picture illustrating how the kickoff of this multi-million dollar contract went. I am playing the part of Leslie Nielsen in this photograph.
http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-conte....._naked_gun.gif
Soooooo yea. No hiding the fact that things have crashed and burned, management is NOT happy and are threatening to have our stuff ripped out if we cannot get things working NOW!!!
The worst, and most stressful part, for me is that all of our problems are software related. All the hardware (*Cough* That I installed *Cough*) was working fine. The problem was in an iOS update that was supposed to FIX problems for us, but actually created show-stopping problems that didn't begin to manifest for several days after the update and didn't explode until we tried to use things en-masse.
So I'm the only one from the company within 200 miles of the site, relaying information to our software team to augment what they are getting from the debug logs, while running around the facility resetting crashed hardware, reinitializing hardware no longer responding to MDM commands, helping staff to get working what was working, AND running damage control/PR with the management while our software guys got things sorted out. I really should have had two other people with me for what was needing to be done...
...and I manage to keep everything together long enough for the programmers to get fixes hammered out. I get those fixes in place quick enough to turn a bad situation into something tolerable. I get our problems sorted out to the point that it is no longer the biggest problem management has to deal with at the new facility. (Sorry plumbing guys, your turn.)
I get a little short with the programmers being quiet in Slack and not giving me the slightest update on how things were going so I could give the management SOMETHING when they asked me every 2 minutes how things were going, but I otherwise stay calm in appearance, though committed to getting things fixed, to the customer. Nothing unreasonable.
I work for many hours more, reprogramming hardware to a fully functional state. I get done for the day, grab something to eat and get back to the motel. I get into my room, thinking how this day has been such a freaking disaster. How this whole mess makes us as a company look like twits. How I felt so helpless in getting things fixed, since the problems were in software.
I then check my slack messages not in the site install thread...
...and find that co-workers and the boss/owner, who had been following the slack conversation, are congratulating me for holding things together on-site and saving the install.
The hell?
I mean, I sure didn't FEEL like the hero. Once things got up and running I immediately turned my focus to fixing the other less pressing problems that remained. I left the site for the day feeling BAD about my performance.
I guess that's part of what being a hero is about, running in and doing the shitty work that needs doing without a second thought. No passing the buck, you are the only one in that place at that time to do what needs doing to avert disaster in whatever form it takes. No I wasn't saving babies from burning buildings, but I clearly averted a disaster.
So it does feel good to be recognized for my efforts, but I'm still tired, still stressed, and still going back tomorrow to continue working on things. There are things still need to be done.
The boss/owner is a fantastic guy to work for and we have a great relationship. He gladly pays me well, yet I've at times felt guilty about getting paid so much for doing relatively simple things. I need to remember that he doesn't pay me for times like that, but for times like today, where others would have crashed and burned under the stress and multitasking that needed to be done.
Soooooo yea, I got to be the hero today, and I hope it doesn't happen again for a LONG time.
Just reflecting back on the day and venting some stress by writing this. Sleep well everyone.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a picture illustrating how the kickoff of this multi-million dollar contract went. I am playing the part of Leslie Nielsen in this photograph.
http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-conte....._naked_gun.gif
Soooooo yea. No hiding the fact that things have crashed and burned, management is NOT happy and are threatening to have our stuff ripped out if we cannot get things working NOW!!!
The worst, and most stressful part, for me is that all of our problems are software related. All the hardware (*Cough* That I installed *Cough*) was working fine. The problem was in an iOS update that was supposed to FIX problems for us, but actually created show-stopping problems that didn't begin to manifest for several days after the update and didn't explode until we tried to use things en-masse.
So I'm the only one from the company within 200 miles of the site, relaying information to our software team to augment what they are getting from the debug logs, while running around the facility resetting crashed hardware, reinitializing hardware no longer responding to MDM commands, helping staff to get working what was working, AND running damage control/PR with the management while our software guys got things sorted out. I really should have had two other people with me for what was needing to be done...
...and I manage to keep everything together long enough for the programmers to get fixes hammered out. I get those fixes in place quick enough to turn a bad situation into something tolerable. I get our problems sorted out to the point that it is no longer the biggest problem management has to deal with at the new facility. (Sorry plumbing guys, your turn.)
I get a little short with the programmers being quiet in Slack and not giving me the slightest update on how things were going so I could give the management SOMETHING when they asked me every 2 minutes how things were going, but I otherwise stay calm in appearance, though committed to getting things fixed, to the customer. Nothing unreasonable.
I work for many hours more, reprogramming hardware to a fully functional state. I get done for the day, grab something to eat and get back to the motel. I get into my room, thinking how this day has been such a freaking disaster. How this whole mess makes us as a company look like twits. How I felt so helpless in getting things fixed, since the problems were in software.
I then check my slack messages not in the site install thread...
...and find that co-workers and the boss/owner, who had been following the slack conversation, are congratulating me for holding things together on-site and saving the install.
The hell?
I mean, I sure didn't FEEL like the hero. Once things got up and running I immediately turned my focus to fixing the other less pressing problems that remained. I left the site for the day feeling BAD about my performance.
I guess that's part of what being a hero is about, running in and doing the shitty work that needs doing without a second thought. No passing the buck, you are the only one in that place at that time to do what needs doing to avert disaster in whatever form it takes. No I wasn't saving babies from burning buildings, but I clearly averted a disaster.
So it does feel good to be recognized for my efforts, but I'm still tired, still stressed, and still going back tomorrow to continue working on things. There are things still need to be done.
The boss/owner is a fantastic guy to work for and we have a great relationship. He gladly pays me well, yet I've at times felt guilty about getting paid so much for doing relatively simple things. I need to remember that he doesn't pay me for times like that, but for times like today, where others would have crashed and burned under the stress and multitasking that needed to be done.
Soooooo yea, I got to be the hero today, and I hope it doesn't happen again for a LONG time.
Just reflecting back on the day and venting some stress by writing this. Sleep well everyone.
Jabilo
~jabilo
He's putting his money where his feelings are. You may doubt your performance, but if he didn't feel you deserved it, he wouldn't pay it. That alone should be self evident you're worth it.
