> If you work in the part of the company chasing one of the top 6 initiatives of the CEO, you’ll usually get promoted fast if you do well. You’ll also get paid a lot.
Sure, but those initiatives can suddenly change when the CEO changes or when the CEO changes strategy. Whole divisions can get shut down overnight.
Great point about increased uncertainty! That’s obviously a trade off of high growth bets whereas old business is not going anywhere.
You’d likely be in high demand at other initiatives if you’re a top performer though. I’ve also seen friends incentivized to get them to stay specifically because the mission they came for became kaput.
I can totally imagine your situation play out though. Depends on the needs of the company at that stage + your perceived value.
I recently was laid off while working on one of the initiatives the director had going. They hired a CEO who brought all his initiatives and mine happened to fall outside of the new initiatives. They let myself, another developer, and the director go all at the same time.
That’s very typical, the new ceo will usually try to put their stamp on a company by firing a bunch of the close allies of the previous ceo, cancelling a bunch of their favorite projects, and generally just marking their territory. Same as kings used to do on ascending the throne, it’s all about personal brand.
How often does the CEO change though? What would the alternative strategy be? If you feel that the CEO is likely to get replaced or that the CEO is likely to change strategy isn't that a good signal that you should be looking to work at other companies?
Sure, but those initiatives can suddenly change when the CEO changes or when the CEO changes strategy. Whole divisions can get shut down overnight.