Story: Leaving Stripe
CoRecursive: Coding Stories
Deep Dive
Why did Jon de la Motte initially fail his Stripe interview?
Jon failed his first Stripe interview because he was overly focused on demonstrating craftsmanship in TypeScript, which led to him underperforming on the actual problem-solving aspect of the interview.
What was the key project Jon worked on at Stripe that demonstrated significant business value?
Jon worked on migrating Stripe's largest JavaScript codebase from Webpack to Metro, reducing the startup time from 15 minutes to 30 seconds, which was a massive win for the company.
How did Jon's performance review at Stripe impact him emotionally?
Jon received a 'partially meets expectations' rating despite his successful project, which deeply affected him emotionally, leading to feelings of inadequacy and even causing him to cry for the first time as an adult.
What personal realization did Jon have about his identity and work?
Jon realized that work was a core part of his identity, and he had tied his self-worth to his career, which became evident when he struggled emotionally after his poor performance review at Stripe.
How did therapy help Jon in both his personal and professional life?
Therapy helped Jon understand childhood trauma and its impact on his adult relationships and work behavior. It allowed him to release long-held tensions, improve his marriage, and perform better at work by being more open about his struggles.
What was the turning point that led Jon to consider leaving Stripe?
Jon decided to leave Stripe after a period of burnout and depression, despite having achieved professional success. His wife suggested he quit, and he realized he needed to prioritize his mental health and personal well-being over his career.
How did Jon's relationship with his father influence his career decisions?
Jon's relationship with his father, who was a workaholic, deeply influenced his career. Jon realized he was replaying his father's patterns, and confronting his dad about his absence in his childhood led to a final estrangement, which was a pivotal moment in Jon's journey.
What broader lesson did Jon take away from his experience at Stripe and his personal struggles?
Jon learned that individuals matter and that understanding oneself is crucial for personal growth. He realized that removing layers of tension and addressing deep-seated emotional issues can lead to a more fulfilling life, even if it means making difficult career decisions.
- Jon's initial failure and subsequent success in Stripe interviews.
- His choice to join a risky new JavaScript infrastructure team.
- Early challenges in demonstrating business value and the impact of his manager's feedback.
- Successful migration of a large JavaScript codebase and the resulting performance improvement.
Shownotes Transcript