Reflecting on Glue Work
An invisible force shaping our teams; connecting people, ideas, and innovation
Five years ago, Tanya Reilly introduced the concept of "Glue Work" at Lead Dev NYC, illuminating an often overlooked aspect of team dynamics. As I reflect on my career, I realize how profoundly this concept resonates with my experiences and working style.
Glue Work, as Tanya defined it, encompasses the essential behind-the-scenes efforts that hold projects and teams together. It's the connective tissue of our organizations, often invisible yet crucial for success. As someone who naturally gravitates towards this type of work, I've come to appreciate its unique challenges and rewards.
In my journey, particularly at growth-companies like Booking.com, I've found my neurodivergence serves as a valuable asset in environments that value versatility.
The ability to connect disparate ideas, facilitate communication, and spot opportunities for collaboration has been at the core of my contributions. However, I've also observed how the tech industry's shift towards specialization has sometimes overshadowed the value of generalists and Glue Workers.