Gregory's ServerMastodon grew beyond any of my expectations. I have always tried to push myself out of my comfort zone and grow to new challenges, but it has taken its toll over time. The past 2 years especially have been overwhelming, and my mental and physical health have taken a dip.
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 I don't have a very high opinion of myself as a CEO, and I always imagine where Mastodon might've been today if I wasn't a massive introvert, but I'd like to think there were redeeming qualities about my run, as well. Overall, it's an opportunity for me to regain some work-life balance, and for Mastodon as an organization to unlock its full potential and avoid some ego- and trademark-related pitfalls that other large open-source projects have recently experienced. @Gargron your leadership has made this place what it is and I hope that the incoming CEO will share the same values and objectives you’ve shared with us. While I know it can only grow if everyone is in the right position, I worry it’ll become a Mozilla situation where too much overhead is put in and the money becomes a larger priority.  @Gargron Thanks a lot, Eugen, for taking this decision (because I think the whole project will grow thanks to that) and for everything you did during past years. Your work and dedication really helped to build what have been somehow a dream for most: a social network entitled with strong human values. Good luck with the rest of your journey!  @Gargron I hope you are successful. As an introvert (and autistic) I find the business side of business hard, and I can’t imagine running something as valuable as Mastodon has become. Well played to get it to this point and to know when to pass it on.  @Gargron Thank you for all the hard work you put into Mastodon, it is very much appreciated by hundreds of thousands. I wish you and your wife all peace and happiness. @Gargron I won't be here today without your work. I , and hope others, will always think of you as the guy who created one of the many fediverse app and was able to stay humble and human. So thank you and I hope you will still hang around . @Gargron Thank you for everything you've done. I'm sure it wasn't an easy choice, but what you've done is deeply thoughtful and wise.  @Gargron You've done us a great service in what you've built and that won't be forgotten. We've seen what happens when engineers burn out, and we've seen what happens when they try to stay in charge too long, and I think you're making a good choice for yourself, and in allowing Mastodon to fly free and develop further.  @Gargron This all seems like a win for everyone. Thanks for your work and continued efforts to help Mastodon live up to its ideals.  @Gargron this seems like a great move, and good time. We become less effective the further we're stretched, especially in directions that are not our strengths. I've been through this, I wish I had learned/admitted it earlier. @Gargron thank you for everything you have done so far and happy that you still will play an important role. And good that you also prioritize balance and health, which is of vital importance for everyone.  @Gargron If all the world's tech CEOs were more like you, the world would be a better place! Hope you find a new CEO who is still a lot like you  @Gargron Thank you very much for creating something that will last for a very long time. A way for people to interact without any party owning anything. Very much appreciated. Please enjoy your new role and have faith in your team, a great team is more than the sum of its parts.   Thanks for what you've done. . . when I landed here two years ago I really had no idea what it was all about. . . . . ! !! :mastodance:  @Gargron It takes fortitude & self-awareness to step aside as founder & bring in someone else to take on the business leadership role. Its a hard step. Congratulations on taking it. Piece of advice. Write down the values you want the new company to align to. Gain feedback from those you trust on them. Use them in the hiring interview process to probe deeply for alignment. Then think about what happens when you have a conflict & discover you are not values aligned after all. @Gargron thank you for everything you have made possible so far. There should be a Nobel prize for this. 🎖️ @Gargron Thank you for the work you have done, shepherding Mastodon to where it is now. @gargron actually, many of this CEOs could use some more thinking about oneself, and maybe some more self-criticism ... I think you're doing the right thing. And I think that you're not one of those people feeling like the masters of the universe helped a lot. The most catastrophal thing with #musk #zuckerberg and co is their really INSANE hubris ....  @Gargron FWIW, I think you did a good job in that role. It’s a thankless role as you become the punching bag - but you kept the train on the tracks. So thank you. @GossiTheDog @Gargron +1, I think that every potential leader is complex and has pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses. I think you had many strengths and pros, and that they helped get Mastodon and the fediverse where it is today. Thank you.  @Gargron Hope you find the right person to replace you. Driven for sure but with their heart in the right place  @Gargron I've been here full time since 2022, and I'm pretty happy with it and where it's going. Thanks for your huge contribution, I'm optimistic it will turn out well.  @Gargron I think you do yourself a massive disservice. Look what storms Mastodon weathered, look who the ‘opposition’ is, and look where the money sits. Almost every C-suite job is entirely thankless, and I say this from the CISO benches, you’ve been great in the role. A steady hand in uncertain times. People who want to be execs make the worst execs. The unlikely ones make it through the other side still human. So thank you for all you’ve done, and we’re just getting started. Redeeming qualities... Leadership: You've changed the social media playing field for the better. With the personal growth, you're ready to focus on your passion and core strengths to lead further development of Mastodon products. Wise to pass the CEO baton to someone who can manage Mastodon's business size and growth bumps. Big 🙌🏼 to you! @Gargron From one introvert to another: The world could use a few more introverts in positions of leadership, but not at the risk of your health or happiness. Thank you for what you’ve built and I am glad you are trying to find a more sustainable way to continue the work.  @Gargron You know, in an age where every CEO is so full of themselves, especially when they own a social network, you were the exception to the rule. If you think of what made Mastodon special, many things may derive from the way you are. You can always do things better with the knowledge of hindsight, but how many people would've been able to do as well as you?  @Gargron Don't be hard on yourself. You've built something remarkable. And in my experience, the CEOs who do have a high opinion of themselves as CEOs are generally the worst CEOs 🤣 @the_etrain It is always a tricky negotiation to move from volunteer to paid position, even with such an impressive record of wins. That said, we all look to you. And when you are successful, we will know it can be done.   @Gargron Thank for sharing your thoughts! I really wish you'll be in a better position, with this transition, for you to care about what you've been wanting to care about Mastodon! Please let me know if I'd be of any help. With the political changes around the world, it looks to me that Mastodon and other SNS services have become more politicized than they should be.  @Gargron Your role in redefining social media at a crucial time in history will be remembered with affection and admiration. Thank you sincerely for everything you've done. @Gargron thank you. For all the work that you've done. All the work you will do. And everything you sacrificed! It is greatly appreciated ❤️ @Gargron an incredibly astute decision. Being a CEO can be horrendously stressful. Doubly so for something that has gone through such remarkable developments as #Mastodon. Being close to the product is a great place to be, and can offer personal growth opportunities to work with a CEO closely. You will both have to learn to trust one another as partners. A good CEO will understand that and be part of that evolution. Remember you are the founder. That is forever a special role. @Gargron Broski, you have done great things and will do so many more great things. This site/app is a huge success and it's not in spite of you it's because of you.  Get well, and thank you for your tremendous work. You are very, very much appreciated, and I think I speak for many when I say 'take your time'. No matter what the reasons are, you deserve a break as much as anyone else. Joy or at least a sense of fulfilment is the drive to continue the work.  @Gargron health always comes first. Thank you (and Amelia) for getting Mastodon to this point. I hope you can take a long break and decompress. You made something for the world here, something precious. Thank you. The wonder of community open projects is they are at their strongest as team efforts. Look after yourself and put you first now, others can carry the load. Thank you for our wonderful cat too! |
I would like to focus on the things about Mastodon that I have passion for, in a new, more product-oriented role, while leaving the business side of things to a new CEO. This is not immediate and will likely occur within the next 2-3 months.