From Cockroach Labs to Campaign Trail

A couple weeks ago, Cockroach Labs and I parted ways amicably. (I had been delivering engineering and leadership services to this NYC-based business.) Sensing that the end of that engagement was likely near, I had actively worked on an orderly transition over the summer, such that the separation last month felt clean and painless.

From my eight years with the CRL team, I retain fond memories, high-quality branded clothing and travel gear, and very dear connections and friends.

The question was raised of where I would direct my attention next.

Assuming good health allows it (knocking wood!), a long term project—ten-plus years—is to foray into politics. For the longest time, I have been loudly complaining that I was probably better able to do their job than most politicians. Recently, it dawned on me that I now have the strength and stability necessary to actually do their job. If you are reading this, you probably already know how I think about the choice between shutting up and taking action. Yet, this future transition will require experience that I do not yet have: a convincing profile as an executive.

I am still working on a strategy. There is management, leadership and decision-making, for which I have some experience already. The bigger piece I feel I am missing is legibility: a longer track record, public messaging about where my values lie and the goals I’d like to reach within my community, and an easily understood narrative for where my next steps are likely to bring me. All these are still somewhat fuzzy to me, and will require more work.

Tactically, in the meantime I plan to partner with entities whom I can help in that way. There will be opportunities in IT, of course. I also do not feel shy about looking further. I discovered a fondness for human systems in my thirties which exceeds the one I (still) experience for automation. I profoundly believe that incentive systems and soft power structures will continue to drive high-level social governance for at least fifty years, if not more, and I want to be a part of that.

That said, where (and with whom) I will be spending my professional time next year is still unclear today. I might not know before January 2024 or later. There is much to handle before then.

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Raphael Poss is an entrepreneur who occasionally publishes field notes on systems, leadership, and the messy edge between technology and people.