How Is Adam Savage as a Boss?

Is Adam the kind of supervisor that shows you how to do something, or lets you learn from your mistakes? How should a freelancer calculate rates for friends? Any strategies for self-employed makers who are ADHD? In this live stream excerpt Adam answers these questions from Tested members Samples & Tests, Shane Shellenbarger and Christian Karling, whom we thank for their support! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions during live streams: / @tested
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Thanks for watching!

[@tested]

Our thanks to Tested members Samples & Tests, Shane Shellenbarger and Christian Karling for their support and questions! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions during live streams:

[@coriscotupi]

Here is one way to build something for a friend: charge only for parts & materials and not a penny for labor. Instead, have him come over and help with the build. Do it together. Then have a good time with a barbecue, or beer, or whatever.

[@nathanhiggins860]

Based on the thumbnail I thought we were going to get Jen Schachter's point of view on working for Adam, but still great answers to the questions.

[@yootoob7048]

"Look at that bird. PUPPIES! It's July." Adam, that has been my life for almost the entirety of my sixty-two years with ADHD.

[@robo5013]

The piece about letting workers ask questions about a project is good advice, just make sure to listen. I was on a new job where I had to jackhammer some concrete. I had never used a jackhammer before and asked my supervisor if there were any tricks I should know about that would make the job easier and quicker because of that and he said no, it's pretty straight forward. I went to work and about an hour later he came to check on me and asked why it was taking so long and why was I doing it the way I was then said I should be doing it this certain way that would make it easier and quicker. When I asked him why he didn't explain that to me at first when I asked how I should do it his response was he wants to see if his workers are smart or not. I told him then he should have realized from the get go that I was smart because a dumb person wouldn't have asked beforehand how to best use a tool or do a task that he had never done before. I decided right then that he wasn't a very good supervisor and after working for him for a little while longer found out that I was right.

[@isaacfortner]

My friend owns a machine shop and is a very skilled fabricator. He would gladly make things for free for me, but I respect his time and effort and want to reciprocate. I’ve paid cash in the past, but the best dynamic we’ve landed on is since I’m more experienced with electronics and wiring than he is, anytime he needs some kind of electronic project built I do that for him, and he does any kind of machining for me.

[@matt497]

I wish my bosses would have told me when jobs are hard. It would have made a huge difference because the feeling of not understanding why you’re not “getting” something quickly is very very discouraging and makes me want to give up.

[@woolfel]

I've mentored many young developers over the years. When I started 20 years back I would give them a detailed lesson with step-by-step. Sadly that doesn't work and most people don't learn it. Over the years I've learned to ask the person "how would you like me to help you?"

[@gloriouslyimperfect]

Adam just described why I dont work for friends and family and will usually pass them along to people I trust to do whatever it is they’re asking. Also why when I lend money to friends I just go in expecting to never get it back so I dont go in with any drama - all my friends I have ever lent to have always given it back as planned but that’s always something that just makes it easier on me

[@raw_pc]

The worst thing is when your client clearly doesn't know how hard his project is but acts like it's super easy and demands quick turnaround. On my last project I had that experience and he even decided to cut half of my agreed payment just because I did more iterations for him and in shorter time than he expected. I had to stop my work mid project because I saw he was pushing for more changes without paying more for them. This is the lesson a lot of people have to learn. Some people just want to squeeze you to the last bit. You need to learn how to protect yourself and know when to stop working if normal negotiations are going nowhere. You either tell them to pay upfront for your work aside from the initial agreed terms or just stop the whole process and cut your loses. Remember to be fair and always try to find a solution for clients requests but also take care of your business because no one ever will. Be assertive.

[@Dank_Lulu]

I just had a brainwave after listening. A lot of stuff others do that they seem to be good at is not necessarily easy for them, so when I do something and suck at it and think something's wrong with me, I fail to consider this. This might be the most selfish use of genuine empathy I can think of and I absolutely love it!

[@Elwaves2925]

Did I miss something? Where's the question about Adam as a boss? I was hoping to hear from Mel and the others as she was in the thumb.

[@UrMomGoz2College]

As an engineer who has worked with thermoplastics and transparencies (F16/EA-6B canopies and various other smaller windows for military aircraft), making two oval bubbles, that deep, with decent clarity and lack of flaws, that are close enough to mate AND only do it with 6 pulls, is quite the feat. The process for the canopies took a ton of time to develop. The time, temp and pressure used are all finely tuned, but they still use touch feelers to ensure they get it just right.

[@Hawki007]

I swear, you are always answering the questions I have each week. Also, I feel like i resonate with you as a maker a lot. It's encouraging to see work on projects. I'm... not sure if that makes any sense, but thank you.

[@__WJK__]

“Kicking/paying it forward” is the best way, so long as the work for a friend is both mutually understood AND reciprocated a/k/a “fool me once/fool me twice…”

[@loc-o5282]

I really appreciate Adam's life advice as much as his technical advice. Thanks for the perspective.

[@PetrolJunkie]

As a general rule I have them pay for parts and materials, maybe buy lunch if it takes some time.

[@chrisbaker2004]

Adam, I love the person you are, it makes learning from you that much more enjoyable. Love the way you think sir :-)

[@wesleytarr6302]

Thank you for the advice Adam!

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

Adam never ceases to be a prime example of how we, as people, should be! When you have knowledge, don't hoard it just because it'll give you a leg up...