How Is Adam Savage as a Boss?

Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

[nathanhiggins]

Based on the thumbnail I thought we were going to get Jen Schachter's point of view on working for Adam, but still great answers to the questions.

[coriscotupi]

Here is one way to build something for a friend: charge only for parts & materials and not a penny for labor. Instead, have him come over and help with the build. Do it together. Then have a good time with a barbecue, or beer, or whatever.

[robo]

The piece about letting workers ask questions about a project is good advice, just make sure to listen. I was on a new job where I had to jackhammer some concrete. I had never used a jackhammer before and asked my supervisor if there were any tricks I should know about that would make the job easier and quicker because of that and he said no, it's pretty straight forward. I went to work and about an hour later he came to check on me and asked why it was taking so long and why was I doing it the way I was then said I should be doing it this certain way that would make it easier and quicker. When I asked him why he didn't explain that to me at first when I asked how I should do it his response was he wants to see if his workers are smart or not. I told him then he should have realized from the get go that I was smart because a dumb person wouldn't have asked beforehand how to best use a tool or do a task that he had never done before. I decided right then that he wasn't a very good supervisor and after working for him for a little while longer found out that I was right.

[isaacfortner]

My friend owns a machine shop and is a very skilled fabricator. He would gladly make things for free for me, but I respect his time and effort and want to reciprocate. I’ve paid cash in the past, but the best dynamic we’ve landed on is since I’m more experienced with electronics and wiring than he is, anytime he needs some kind of electronic project built I do that for him, and he does any kind of machining for me.

It’s also a bit different when he’s made parts for me to sell. In that case, I’m clear that he’s not really making parts for me, but my own clients, and I pay him a stated rate for that work. Any personal work is just reciprocated in kind like Adam described.

[yootoob]

"Look at that bird. PUPPIES! It's July." Adam, that has been my life for almost the entirety of my sixty-two years with ADHD.

[matt]

I wish my bosses would have told me when jobs are hard. It would have made a huge difference because the feeling of not understanding why you’re not “getting” something quickly is very very discouraging and makes me want to give up.

[woolfel]

I've mentored many young developers over the years. When I started 20 years back I would give them a detailed lesson with step-by-step. Sadly that doesn't work and most people don't learn it. Over the years I've learned to ask the person "how would you like me to help you?"

Some people need more, some need less and some need none. The key for me is to treat it as a learning experience. Even if I've mentored 30 people, the next person could be completely different.

[Dank_Lulu]

I just had a brainwave after listening. A lot of stuff others do that they seem to be good at is not necessarily easy for them, so when I do something and suck at it and think something's wrong with me, I fail to consider this. This might be the most selfish use of genuine empathy I can think of and I absolutely love it!

[gloriouslyimperfect]

Adam just described why I dont work for friends and family and will usually pass them along to people I trust to do whatever it is they’re asking. Also why when I lend money to friends I just go in expecting to never get it back so I dont go in with any drama - all my friends I have ever lent to have always given it back as planned but that’s always something that just makes it easier on me

[raw_pc]

The worst thing is when your client clearly doesn't know how hard his project is but acts like it's super easy and demands quick turnaround. On my last project I had that experience and he even decided to cut half of my agreed payment just because I did more iterations for him and in shorter time than he expected. I had to stop my work mid project because I saw he was pushing for more changes without paying more for them. This is the lesson a lot of people have to learn. Some people just want to squeeze you to the last bit. You need to learn how to protect yourself and know when to stop working if normal negotiations are going nowhere. You either tell them to pay upfront for your work aside from the initial agreed terms or just stop the whole process and cut your loses. Remember to be fair and always try to find a solution for clients requests but also take care of your business because no one ever will. Be assertive.

[__WJK__]

“Kicking/paying it forward” is the best way, so long as the work for a friend is both mutually understood AND reciprocated a/k/a “fool me once/fool me twice…”

[Hawki]

I swear, you are always answering the questions I have each week. Also, I feel like i resonate with you as a maker a lot. It's encouraging to see work on projects. I'm... not sure if that makes any sense, but thank you.

[chrisbaker]

Adam, I love the person you are, it makes learning from you that much more enjoyable. Love the way you think sir :-)

[loc-o]

I really appreciate Adam's life advice as much as his technical advice. Thanks for the perspective.

[nickfosterxx]

Have usually been diffident with taking time to watch these Q&A.
But this, this is an order of magnitude best I've seen. A lot of good thoughts here, plain humanity alongside the wisdom of experience. All well said and a good selection of questions. thumbs up emoji.

[PhilipMoya]

"Do the hard stuff first." This is the lesson I was taught by my dad. His actual quote was "Do the hard stuff first and the job gets easier as you go along." This is the best advice I have ever been given.

[grantgriner]

I have stumbled and struggled with ADHD my hole life and being organized is the hardest thing thing. And the worst part about it is that the organization parts of our brain affects EVERYTHING. From building to billing to keeping your self on task. The phrase, squirreling or being a ADHD kid in a shiny factory, are real things. But as chief Engineer of several high rises, The best thing that I have done for myself is at the beginning of my day I make a list. And his list is going to consist of things that I am going to accomplish. And then I try very hard to stick to my list. Sometimes you get it all done and sometimes you don’t put the simple fact is that you have written it down and you know where your list is at so you can keep yourself focused when you complete a task and being able to move onto the next task.

[DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

Adam never ceases to be a prime example of how we, as people, should be! When you have knowledge, don't hoard it just because it'll give you a leg up... _Share it freely, _ because it's a big world now and giving away some of your secrets *is not* going to hurt you in the long run!

On the contrary, I suspect his kindness pays dividends, because he's helped so many and they want to return the favor!

Please thank Adam for me, for being such an inspiring and great person, as we would all definitely be lesser without him! 🍻

[MandatoryHashTags]

On the billing question for a friend. I am super open with them as a Software Engineer. I tell them what my normal hourly is, I know in my head what my break even is. So I tend to charge them break even +25% which is a decent discount from my normal hourly rate. I will also do fixed bid work for friends and I *never* (here is a tip to any other people doing my line of work, never do fixed bid) do fixed bid work professionally. They get to feel like they are paying me, I get to feel like I am helping a friend, its a win win.

[TylerDollarhide]

The first question was very helpful. I've been into ring making as a hobby for a couple of years now, but have only made a couple of dozen rings. I try to sell them as commissions, but few college students have the money to buy a ring (even under $50). So I'm always upfront about the fact that I only charge for material use and maybe a couple of dollars for profit. But a lot of times they'll give me a couple of dollars more than I ask for. It takes several hours just to make one ring, yes. But I don't have much experience, thus my time isn't worth much.

As a side note, the biggest downside to ring making (especially in the style of Patrick Adair Designs) is that experience cost a decent amount of money for each practice ring.