Why I left Linus Tech Tips

Summary

In this deeply emotional and reflective video, the speaker recounts their decade-long journey at Linus Media Group (LMG), from their early days as a high school intern to becoming a pivotal team member. They share the highs and lows of their experience, including the joy of creating groundbreaking projects and the personal challenges that led to their decision to leave. While expressing gratitude for the opportunities and friendships gained, the speaker explains the struggles of corporate growth, personal burnout, and feeling undervalued. Ultimately, they embrace the future with a sense of optimism and anticipation for new adventures, while still cherishing the impact LMG had on their life.

Takeaways

• 😀 After nearly 10 years at Lionus Media Group, the creator decided to leave, marking the end of a significant chapter in their life.
• 😀 The creator started at LMG as a high school student, working part-time on various tasks and contributing to many early projects.
• 😀 The creator wore many hats at LMG, from general laborer to IT infrastructure management, and eventually became a full-time writer and team supervisor.
• 😀 Despite challenges, including burnout and stress, the creator found fulfillment in learning about new technology and sharing it with the community.
• 😀 Over the years, the company grew, and the dynamic shifted from a small, close-knit team to a more corporate environment, which led to feelings of disconnection.
• 😀 The decision to leave LMG was emotional and difficult, but ultimately, the creator felt it was necessary for personal growth and to prioritize their well-being.
• 😀 The creator's departure was influenced by a combination of factors, including lack of recognition, financial concerns, and the pressures of working in an evolving company.
• 😀 After leaving, the creator took a leap into new ventures, including working on cars and exploring other creative outlets, such as starting their own channel.
• 😀 The emotional reaction to a recent LMG video using their footage highlights unresolved feelings, including a sense of not being properly acknowledged.
• 😀 Despite challenges, the creator expresses gratitude for their time at LMG, for the opportunities it provided, and for the lifelong friendships formed.
• 😀 Moving forward, the creator is excited about the future, focusing on new projects and collaborations while remaining open to potential future partnerships with LMG.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to leave Lionus Media Group (LMG)?

The speaker left LMG after spending nearly 10 years with the company. The decision was driven by growing personal dissatisfaction, a sense of not being valued, and the desire to focus on personal growth and new opportunities. The changes in the company, as it grew, made it difficult for the speaker to continue, especially given the corporate shift and personal challenges.

How did the speaker feel about their time at LMG initially?

Initially, the speaker felt extremely fulfilled and passionate about their work at LMG. It was a dream job, particularly because they were a fan of the channel and the STEM community. The early years were described as exciting and full of new challenges that kept the speaker motivated.

What role did the speaker play at LMG in the early years?

In the early years, the speaker was hired as a general laborer. They contributed to a variety of tasks, such as organizing the warehouse and helping with tech projects. They also helped build systems, test components, and even worked on creative challenges like building a water-cooled PS4.

What challenges did the speaker face while working at LMG?

The speaker faced various challenges, including the stress of managing multiple roles, such as working in logistics, IT, and writing. Over time, the job shifted from hands-on technical work to more delegating tasks, which affected their sense of accomplishment and pride in the work.

What significant projects did the speaker work on at LMG?

The speaker worked on a variety of impactful projects, including designing and building servers, setting a Guinness World Record, and even creating a Minecraft server for LMG. They were involved in multiple groundbreaking video projects, including testing 16K gaming setups and crazy desk PC designs.

What role did the speaker take on later in their time at LMG?

Later, the speaker became the LTT writing team supervisor, managing other writers, overseeing projects, approving purchases, and running weekly content meetings, all while continuing to make videos. This role added significant responsibility and stress, leading to moments of burnout.

Why did the speaker consider quitting LMG a few years ago?

The speaker almost quit due to the stress of managing both technical and creative responsibilities. They were overwhelmed by the workload and struggled with maintaining work-life balance, but ultimately decided to refocus on writing and found fulfillment in that role.

What personal reflection did the speaker share about their decision to leave LMG?

The speaker reflected on the difficulty of leaving LMG, especially since it had become a significant part of their identity. They were no longer a 'lifer' at LMG, and accepting that change was emotionally challenging. The departure was seen as a necessary step to prioritize personal well-being and growth.

How did the speaker react to the recent LMG video that featured past staff members?

The speaker was upset by how their footage was used in a recent LMG video. They felt it was backhanded, particularly because it discussed their departure and included clips of their work without asking for permission. The speaker felt that the way the video was framed did not accurately reflect their feelings and history with the company.

What does the speaker look forward to now that they've left LMG?

The speaker is excited about new opportunities and projects, including building a home data center, potentially creating car-related content, and continuing to collaborate with friends from LMG. They're also focused on creating their own content and sharing their passions with their audience, with a more personal and independent approach.