The key to being promoted (beyond capability) is to be likeable. To be likeable, you need to be relatable. To be relatable, you need to have a wide range of hobbies and interests and appeal to familiarity - eg have kids, watch sports, play golf, etc.

Do you find that your team members in India take more sick days than US? On my team in the US, we work from home if we get a cold but are generally still able to work. Being too sick to work happens to each of our US team maybe 1-3 times a year. My team in India takes 1-2 sick days per month. Are they actually too sick to work and that level of illness is more common? Or is there a cultural difference that you don't work if not feeling well?

Left McK as an EM for a role that offered $325k, I’m only 3 months out and competitor of company I joined wants to poach me and give 450k. I personally been enjoying my new org and it’s been such little time, however the jump in comp is substantial. How would you handle this?

My patience for this job is waning… I’m 35, single, no debt - Made some decent investments last year in some AI chip stocks and now they’re coming to roost.. my brokerage account is now more than my 401k. I feel like my life is 90% work and 10% everything else. I wonder if I should take some extended time off (6mo-1yr) as I would love to actually have space for things during the week again and explore / grow in other areas of my life. Is it time?

My net worth is 343k as a 26 year old. Why do i still feel behind? Current salary is 140k. Friends in tech have been making 190k-350k from college up until now.