Alla Tara understands something that many overlook: not all work is glamorous, but all work has value. As the Principal Technical Program Manager (TPM) at Gusto, Alla Tara has spent much of her career working on the critical but often invisible aspects of technology laying the groundwork for innovation. The work she champions doesn’t come with grand reveals or standing ovations, but it is the backbone of success.
Alla Tara draws a powerful analogy in her reflections. She compares foundational work to training for your first mile. No one is lining up to cheer you on, yet the effort, discipline, and persistence required to achieve that goal are no less significant than training for an Iron Man. This mirrors the work of countless TPMs and backend specialists who ensure that everything behind the scenes runs smoothly, even if few acknowledge their efforts.
The analogy extends to maintaining a home’s plumbing. Pipes are rarely the focal point of a house tour, but their absence or failure is immediately noticeable. Similarly, Alla Tara highlights the importance of infrastructure, data, and security work. These unseen forces keep teams moving forward, ensuring that exciting innovations and front-facing technology are built on solid foundations.
Alla Tara has spent her career immersed in this “pipe work.” From untangling complex legacy systems to implementing processes that streamline operations, she has mastered the art of foundational improvements. These tasks may lack the allure of launching a new product or feature, but they are indispensable. Without them, organizations falter, workflows become chaotic, and technological progress is stunted.
Recognizing that this kind of work can be hard to rally excitement around, Alla Tara has developed strategies to maintain motivation and keep momentum going. Her insights offer valuable guidance to professionals engaged in similar tasks:
Remember the why
Updating a checklist might seem mundane, but the clarity it creates for a team is invaluable. When processes are well-defined, teams operate with efficiency, avoiding confusion and wasted effort. Alla Tara emphasizes that even the most tedious tasks contribute to a larger vision.
Break it up
Large, ambiguous projects can feel overwhelming, but breaking them into smaller, manageable steps can make all the difference. Alla Tara champions the power of incremental progress fast feedback loops, tiny experiments, and quick wins help sustain energy and engagement.
Give credit where it’s due
Background work often goes unnoticed, but recognition can be a game-changer. Alla Tara encourages leaders to acknowledge the contributions of those who keep operations running smoothly. A simple nod of appreciation can boost morale and reinforce the importance of foundational work.
Through these principles, Alla Tara reframes the narrative around unflashy but essential tasks. The absence of immediate applause does not diminish their worth. Instead, she argues that there is deep satisfaction in seeing everything click into place when a well-structured system allows creativity and innovation to thrive.
Alla Tara’s philosophy extends beyond the professional realm. A well-organized space, whether physical, procedural, or technological, fosters clarity and inspiration. Decluttering unnecessary complexity creates room for ingenuity, making foundational work not just necessary but deeply fulfilling.
Alla Tara’s insights resonate across industries, particularly for those in technical program management, backend development, and infrastructure roles. Her experiences remind us that the unsung heroes of foundational work are indispensable. Without them, the dazzling front-end innovations we admire would be impossible.
Alla Tara’s approach challenges the conventional definition of success. While some chase recognition and grand achievements, she finds fulfillment in the seamless, efficient systems she helps create. And in doing so, she inspires others to take pride in the work that may not be celebrated but is absolutely crucial.
In the end, Alla Tara’s perspective is a testament to the power of persistence, discipline, and quiet excellence. She teaches us that the real rewards come not from applause but from knowing that the work we do seen or unseen makes a lasting impact.
