A discussion about the uselessness of team leads on one of the platforms where I posted the "monstrous mistake" above reminded me of an old joke.
A lathe operator is thoughtfully wiping his wrench with a rag. The shop foreman comes up to him:
— Petrov, [censored]! Why the heck are you getting ready to go home so early? It's only 5:30!
— Well, you see, by the time I wipe the wrench with a rag, brush the machine with a wire brush, wash my hands with soap, get changed… that's exactly when the workday ends.
— No, Petrov! I believe this is wrong! Take me, for example: I start getting ready to leave at exactly 6:00.
— Well, what do you have to get ready? Shut your mouth and off you go…
I should write something more life-affirming about the benefits of team leading.