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Regardless of what I think about MongoDB the database, this man seems like a good leader based on his honesty. Showing this much vulnerability in public isn't something CEOs usually do without a public scandal.

I'm curious if this guy is a professional manager or grew into this role as a founder. Because this sort of communication doesn't strike me as the sort of thing that would come out of the keyboard of an MBA or career manager.

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Theoretically I am a career manager but I feel more like a hybrid between that and an entrepreneur. I have done mostly management roles but more on the technical side, some individual contributor stints, and joined my last two companies quite early (8 employees and 27).

A quick gander at his Linkedin shows about 2 decades of management experience. Either way, CEO's don't usually voluntarily step down at all unless they're retiring, so of course a statement like this would be unusual. He's making a wise move to get out in front of potential scandal rumors by making a post that essentially says that he wants to spend more time with his family. A perfectly understandable move, even for a career manager.

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