In this episode, we challenge the conventional wisdom of career progression in tech. The traditional path - junior, mid, senior, team lead, manager - suggests an inevitable trajectory, but is it really the only way? Matt and Liam dive into the realities of career growth, exploring why leadership and management are not the same thing and why moving “back” to an engineering role isn’t necessarily a step down.
We discuss:
- The false assumption that career growth means leaving the tools behind
- Why top engineering talent often gets promoted out of doing what they love
- The rise of the Staff Engineer role and other alternatives to the management track
- Lessons from Microsoft and other major companies on leadership vs. management
- The importance of knowing what truly motivates you in your career
Whether you’re navigating your own career shift or wondering what’s next, this episode is a candid discussion on finding fulfilment in your work—whether that’s leading teams, staying hands-on, or redefining success altogether.
Any Likes 👍, Shares 📣, Subscriptions 🔔, and Love ❤️ go a long way to helping us continue this podcast.
Cheers! 🍻
🍻 Tonight’s Drinks 🍻 Matt - Gin with lime soda Liam - Home-brewed oatmeal stout