When I was in an engineering IC version of this role, I longed for someone like you to have my back in management and have customers’ backs too. If I had a time machine and a magic lamp I’d team up with you.
As a future representation of past me, I can tell you:
1. Everything it’s making you feel is valid.
1b. If you’re feeling burnt out, please listen to it. It gets worse if you let it.
2. While I can’t hire you now, I can already tell you’re eminently hireable. If you have any cautious inclination to move, you will probably be better served by greener pastures.
My boss is supportive, but he's also under heavy fire. Like I mentioned, my peers are rightfully skeptical. My team are a bunch of sharp, good guys, but haven't had any good guidance of mentorship in years, if not decades. They're all different, but what the have in common is that they've been screwed and judged unfairly thanks to past incompetence. That just pisses me off.
There's hope from those around me, but it's a pretty darn lonely job. You just gave me the fuel to not feel already beat up when I walk in the door tomorrow.
Agree with GP - your post makes me want to hire you.
One trick you might try: write future press releases. This helps you look beyond the immediate problems and focus on the destination. For example:
“Q3 2023: ACME CO released version Z today, which dramatically simplifies our engine to focus on core user needs. ‘It does thing I want an doesn’t crash anymore’ says Key Buyer #1”
By writing this down, you can put the vision in front of everyone. Then check it against actual progress to see how you’re doing.
As a future representation of past me, I can tell you:
1. Everything it’s making you feel is valid.
1b. If you’re feeling burnt out, please listen to it. It gets worse if you let it.
2. While I can’t hire you now, I can already tell you’re eminently hireable. If you have any cautious inclination to move, you will probably be better served by greener pastures.
3. Just take care of yourself.
4. When 3 contradicts 2, favor 3.