The signals you can't ignore

A short post on the latest Vercel incident.

When smart, well-resourced companies act surprised by something they clearly saw coming, it raises questions. When leadership avoids direct ownership, it raises even more. And when the conversation shifts from “what happened” to “skill issue” — well, that’s when you know.

Patterns to observe:

• Apologies that don’t say much
• A version of the truth that shifts over time
• A reluctance to own mistakes
• An attempt to steer the conversation elsewhere

These aren’t just missteps. They’re signals. And they tell you everything you need to know.

References:

• @pilcrowonpaper
• @eduardoboucas