Full Circle

A Nice Run

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the last five years.

I really love what I do. I’ve always been the type of person to jump in with both feet, working with real passion because I genuinely care about the people I’m building for. Whether it was the early days of Amazon Connect or SCV or the magic of Agentforce, the tech has always excited me. I’ve always enjoyed that "aha!" moment when a complex problem finally clicks.

Lately, though, things feel a bit different.

The Full Circle

We’ve all seen the shifts in the industry. The layoffs and the constant reorganizations. I’ve been fortunate to stay busy and rarely sit on the bench. But after this latest re-org, I found myself in a strange spot: I’m on a new team, yet it’s actually the same team I started on when I joined the company five years ago. I'm at the same level, in the same place, and it has made me realize how tight this "loop" has become.

It’s a cycle of constant pressure: you do quarterly reviews, yearly performance cycles, and endless requests for formal feedback that is so hard to get. It feels like so much energy goes into documenting the work rather than just doing it.

The Truly Invisible Saves

What’s hard is that so much of the value I bring doesn't even make it into those formal reviews. My colleagues know me and trust my expertise. They often reach out to me directly when they need an expert for "Voice". They bypass the "proper channels" because they know the official process takes forever, and they know I can get it done right then and there.

I’ve never minded doing that. In fact, I’m happy to help because I care about our success. But when that work doesn't "register" in the system because it didn't follow a specific template, it feels a bit like a one-sided love. I’ve spent a lot of time mentoring others and sharing what I know about "voice" and architecture. Seeing them move up has been rewarding, but it’s also made me realize that I’ve stayed in the same spot for a long time.

No Blame, Just Reflection

I’m not frustrated with anyone in particular. I’m not looking to complain, and I don’t blame the people who reach out to me. I’m glad they do. But I’ve realized that I might have given all I can give in this current environment.

I’ve always believed that if you do good work and help others, the rest follows. But I’m feeling like my growth here has hit a ceiling that paperwork just won't fix.

Exploring the "What If"

It’s been a great run, and I’m proud of what I’ve built. But I'm reflecting on future possibilities, which is new for me. I know there are teams out there. There are people building other incredible things.

I’m not making any sudden moves or "quitting," but I think it’s time to be open to the world again. I’m going to log back into LinkedIn, catch up with some old connections, and see what the universe has in store. Sometimes, you just need a change of scenery to feel that love for the work come back from both sides.

Whatever that decision might be, I think I will make it fast.