Ask HN: Torn between impact and lack of recognition as a startup employee
Since joining a startup as an employee, I have been the primary contributor to advancing our product concept, monetization strategy and investor communications. I wrote our investor decks and position papers, and these were based in large part on my own inventions and insights. Our company has had the audience of major investors and industry leaders, who have praised these contributions. We have a chance to make a real positive impact on the world.
But I've had to do this work privately, without much interaction or feedback, and the CEO takes credit in front of everybody (inside and outside of the company) with claims it was his plan all along. My given role is software development. I'm not allowed to share my other work internally with other employees. As far as I can tell, they think my writing is just to present the CEO's ideas.
I'm concerned for my future. I don't have any responsibility or leadership role. I'm mostly left out of discussions on implementing the plans I've proposed and interviews for executives to take over responsibility for them. To keep up with my software development role in parallel, I'm working harder and longer hours than others, but not advancing much there either. It's been physically exhausting.
This opportunity has stoked the fire of my passion for business and technical strategy and shown it as a personal strength. But, I don't have a history of this type of contribution in previous companies and I don't see how I can leverage these efforts towards a future inside or outside this company, since I get so little recognition.
I've been afraid to post. Have you had a similar experience? I appreciate advice on how to make the best of it.