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Promotions

Writing about the transition from individual contributor to leader, and the awkward realities that come with leveling up.

Why the Better Engineer Did Not Get the Promotion

The engineers who keep getting promoted aren't always the best coders in the room. They're the ones who can walk into a meeting with three competing opinions and a skeptical VP and walk out with a decision everyone can live with. Most engineers treat that like a skill that belongs to someone else.

Good Work Doesn't Speak for Itself

Glue work keeps teams functional but rarely makes it into promotion conversations. The engineers who advance aren't always the best coders. They're the ones who learned how to make their actual impact visible before the committee meets.

Why the Tech Lead Role Feels Harder Than You Expected

The tech lead role often feels harder than expected, not because you’re failing, but because the job quietly changes. This piece explores why that shift feels so disorienting and what actually helps.

I Thought Working Hard Was Enough Until My Developer Career Stalled

I believed working hard was enough to move my developer career forward. It was not. This is the moment I realized effort alone does not create growth, and what actually changed everything.

What I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Took That Promotion

I love leading people. But stepping into leadership isn’t a title upgrade, it’s a class change. This post breaks down everything I wish someone told me before I said yes to that promotion.

How to Set Career Goals That Aren’t Just Job Titles

Promotions are fine, but real growth isn’t tied to your title. This post helps you set career goals that actually make you better, not just busier.

What I Actually Look for in a Job (Spoiler: It’s Not Pizza Parties)

Recognition is nice, but it doesn’t pay the bills. Here’s what I actually look for in a job: fair pay, real promotions, work-life balance, trust, and a team that doesn’t treat fun like a four-letter word.