Five Years Forward: What to Expect

What I wish I could have told my past self about the road ahead

October 21, 2024, marks my five-year anniversary at Netflix as a Senior Technical Program Manager (TPM). To commemorate this milestone, I decided to reflect on what I wish I could have told myself back in 2019. I’m also writing this for the many new members on my team who are facing similar fears and anxieties as they navigate their own journeys. I hope this serves as encouragement for them too.

Embracing the Journey Without Obsessing Over the Keeper Test

As you stand on the brink of the most incredible, stressful, and rewarding journey of your life, I wish I could urge you to savor the experience more instead of fixating on whether you’re passing the Keeper Test, Netflix’s method of evaluating whether an employee should be retained. The only true antidote to that stress is time and the gradual building of your confidence. Instead of worrying about performance assessments, trust in your abilities and the unique value you bring. When you truly understand your worth, it transcends any single company’s evaluation, allowing you to fully enjoy the ride and focus on personal and professional growth.

Adapting to a Culture of Ownership and Collaboration

You’re accustomed to being the go-to person with all the answers, but it’s okay not to know everything immediately. You are also concerned about the Dunning-Kruger effect where you don’t know what you don’t know. You are apprehensive about making suggestions because you assume there must be context you are missing. You’ll worry about stepping on toes because you’re coming from a more territorial environment. But at Netflix, everyone has more work than any one person can handle. We all have to ruthlessly prioritize. Initially, you’ll expect your manager to direct you, but here, leadership is about providing context, not control. They hire you for your expertise and give you the information you need to get unblocked. They’ll outline the problem, but they expect you to own it, prioritize tasks, and tackle all the big, hairy challenges. You have full agency to make decisions and drive outcomes. With that you have to figure out what you don’t know and take the initiative.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Accelerating Personal Growth

The imposter syndrome will hit you hard. Netflix is full of world-class talent, all subject matter experts in their domains. Coming from the public sector, you’ll feel like you’re playing catch-up with your peers in the corporate world. There will be moments when you feel out of your depth among talented peers, and that’s perfectly normal. As Confucius said, “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” Be grateful to be surrounded by such stunning colleagues. Use these experiences as catalysts for learning and growth. You’ll immerse yourself in subjects like engineering leadership, behavioral science, and emerging technologies. This relentless pursuit of knowledge will propel you into roles that align with your passions, transforming initial uncertainties into confidence and expertise.

Embracing Constructive Feedback and Open Dialogue

Entering a culture that values candid feedback might feel intimidating at first. You may find yourself striving for perfection to avoid criticism. Over time, however, you’ll come to see feedback not as a setback but as a valuable tool for growth. Engaging in open discussions and seeking diverse perspectives will enhance your work and foster stronger professional relationships. You’ll begin to appreciate that constructive feedback is a sign of trust and investment in your potential.

Thriving in an Autonomous and Dynamic Environment

The flexibility of a less structured environment may feel overwhelming initially, but it offers a unique opportunity to develop autonomy and adaptability. You’ll learn to navigate ambiguity, turning what once seemed daunting into exciting opportunities. Recognizing that challenges like discovery, adoption, support, and training are universal, you’ll leverage your interpersonal skills to collaborate cross-functionally and achieve alignment. Each initiative you lead will be similar to running your own internal startup, allowing you to strategize, execute, and prepare for successful outcomes.

Building a Strong Professional Network

By engaging with professional communities like TechKnowCon, the Rands Leadership Slack, and the Tech Learning reading group, you’ll cultivate a robust network of industry peers. Listening to their stories about overcoming obstacles, navigating layoffs, and celebrating successes will be an invaluable source of learning and inspiration. These communities will not only expand your professional circle but also provide a support system that enriches your career journey.

Avoiding Misinformation and Trusting Reliable Sources

When it comes to platforms like Blind, you’ll discover they’re rife with trolls and misinformation. Initially, you might perceive it as another Glassdoor, a place where employee feedback carries some validity. However, after months of unnecessary anxiety over rumors that never come to pass, you’ll realize that some individuals are simply there to cause chaos. Trust your managers when they advise caution against such sources.

Accepting Colleagues’ Departures as Growth Opportunities

It will be emotionally challenging when colleagues you admire leave Netflix. However, you’ll come to understand that in the tech industry, everyone has an expiration date at a given company. Shifting your perspective to view these departures as graduations to new adventures will make it easier. Many will move on to influential roles at companies like Apple, Google, Meta, OpenAI, Atlassian, and Coinbase. You’ll keep in touch, cheering them on as they reach new career and life milestones. Their achievements in promotions, startups, TED talks, keynotes, podcasts, and bestselling books will serve as ongoing sources of inspiration for you.

Embracing Your Role as a Connector and Mentor

Working at Netflix will bring a unique experience and people will start to see you as a gateway to their dream jobs. It may feel strange at first when strangers reach out on LinkedIn seeking referrals. However, view it as an opportunity to expand your network, meet new talent, and contribute to building an even stronger team. Embrace this role as a connector, talent scout, and mentor. It’s a chance to make a meaningful impact beyond your immediate responsibilities.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, the journey you’re about to embark on will be filled with challenges, growth, and incredible opportunities. Every obstacle will serve as a stepping stone, shaping you into a more confident and capable professional. Embrace each experience wholeheartedly, trust in your abilities, and remember that the most rewarding paths are rarely the easiest. Your future self is grateful for the resilience you’ve shown and the risks you’ve taken to pursue your dreams.