Rethinking Loyalty and Values in Web3
In an industry like web3, one that changes and evolves from instant to instant, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that companies often take advantage of their people. Loyalty and sacrifice are expected, but reciprocated at a much slower pace. The truth is, “work” means different things to different people.
For some, it’s simply the gig economy — a quick exchange of goods for services. For others, it’s a calling, a pursuit of passion. In web3, it can be either, both, or neither. This industry can be a playground of innovation or a pair of golden handcuffs, depending on the person and their circumstances.
The disparity in compensation highlights this complexity. There are organizations paying their top engineers $300k+, while others struggle to offer $80k. During a bull market, companies scoop up talent left and right, only to let them go as soon as the bear takes over. The ecosystem shifts rapidly, leaving people constantly reassessing their place within it.
Then there are the conferences — every other week, another event promising endless networking opportunities. While these gatherings can be invaluable, they also fuel FOMO and exhaustion, leaving many wondering if they’re truly worth it.
Maybe I’m not in “Founder Mode,” and perhaps I don’t share the same ideals around loyalty. But is it really fair to expect contributors to unknowingly pledge loyalty to an industry still figuring out sustainability and longevity?
Many of us left one industry for this one, and many will leave this for another. Instead of assuming they lack the right values or integrity, maybe it’s time we help them find those things.
This starts with having your values clearly written and understood. It means practicing the integrity and honesty you wish to receive. And it requires offering opportunities to learn, lead, and build.
Not every role is right for every person. Not every organization is right for every person. Yes, there are grifters and people who lack integrity and honesty. But there are also those — both early and late in their careers — simply looking for health, happiness, and balance.
Perhaps it’s time to realize that our idea of “loyalty” may not align with theirs. And maybe they aren’t the ones to blame.
Thoughts are my own and originally posted as this thread, and AI was used to restructure those ramblings into this post. To read more of my thoughts regarding people and talent, check out this post.