Pros
1. Rate of change: The progress over the past year in particular has been genuinely exciting and inspiring. 2. Makers, not managers: Everyone who excels here is a doer, across every level of the organization. This is not a place for layers of bureaucracy or idle managers - there are no armchair experts. For a still-small team (~150), the breadth of the undertaking is remarkable, and that requires people across the board to truly take ownership. 3. Actually doing something different and interesting: Beyond even the novel approach, path to scale, and potential for meaningful impact, it's simply cool to see your collective work result in a car safely driving itself on the road. 4. Playing the long game: This reflects well on the people involved, especially leadership and the founder.
Cons
1. It's often hard: Taking on a challenge of this magnitude requires humility and persistence. For many, this is very empowering, but I understand it's not for everyone. 2. Growing pains: At times, we've had to overcome challenges with our softer and organizational skills, such as planning and communication. While these are typical for a fast-moving start-up, it's important to keep improving to ensure clarity and efficiency, especially as we continue to grow.