What prevents software engineers from moving up to staff or principal engineer roles, and how can this be overcome?

I used to be a Senior Principal Software Engineer at Raytheon (ages ago). There are a lot of things that block engineers from advancing, and they should. Any engineer who does not support the following activities will have a hard time advancing.

- Documentation - if you never leave a trail of breadcrumbs, you will be stuck answering the same questions about your code for years to come.

- Avoiding self-directed changes - many software engineers have a desire to make small tweaks to code when there was no justifiable need. If the product works properly, leave it alone. If there are issues with the product, submit a change request so your changes can be funded.

- Not focusing on the big picture - the key to advancement is positive exposure to senior management. They want people who think at the architectural level, understand the impacts of process mechanics, can spot a vendor pushing vaporware, and realize cost and profit matter.

- The 12-year-old dress code - it does get in the way. If you want the senior folks to take you as a professional, try to do better than the Metallica T shirt with shorts and flip-flops. Executives like to have their senior people in tow. Executives do not want to be reminded of the disaffected teens they raised.

- Never call your guess a fact - this will burn you faster than the President. You never want to feed an executive with an incorrect and unqualified hunch. I have seen employees used as floss after supplying a bad guess.

A former Raytheon CEO had a set of rules. Look for Swanson’s rules. There is a funny and dark story behind the rules. Raytheon PR mistakenly oversold these off as Swanson’s rules, but he was referencing someone else’s work.

Source: Quora

Swanson's Unwritten Rules of Management: https://www.leadershipnow.com/minute0014.html

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If you are just "employed" in Cyber Security, you are at risk. Here's why.

Most people like to conform. They put all their trust into the company they work for. They work hard and hope to get that 3% pay raise they think they are entitled to. They hope in a few more years they will earn that extra week of vacation. They also hope to get that promotion they've been wanting "if" management thinks they deserve it. However, that's a lot of hope.

Why do people do this? Because it's comfortable.

However, comfortable is VERY dangerous place to be.

I've never been one to conform to that mindset. Let me explain.

Let's face it. Most businesses go into business for one reason. It's profit. If they can eliminate a position or replace someone with a more economical option, they will sometimes do it. That's ok though because it is their business, and they are entitled to it.

What most people don't realize is that many states have "at-will" employment. This means that the business at any time can make cuts, give work to contractors, or make other personnel changes to save money. They are not obligated to employ you. They don't owe you anything but your last paycheck.

I was a victim of this many years back. I had a great job and made a fantastic income. I did well at my job and loved it. However, I was eliminated because a contractor was cheaper. I lost my job. It was all about bottom line. I had kids, bills, and food to put on the table.

It was then that I realized how dangerous it was to put all your trust into your job or the company you work for. Yes, there are fantastic companies out there including the one that I work for now. However, that business is not responsible for your livelihood. Why?

Because you are.

Your well-being relies on your personal brand. What does this mean?

Your personal brand is the following:

1. What you are about

What do you stand for? What do you like to be around? Are you someone that people want to be around?

2. How good you are at what you do (technically)

How well do you stack against others in this field? Are there solid reasons they should pick you over others? Do you have what it takes?

3. How well you market yourself

You may be great at everything above, but how do others know this? Are you out there (i.e, LinkedIn) proactively and found by employers and opportunities?

Even when you are in that dream position, you need to take care of your personal brand. Your inbox should be filled up with messages from recruiters that want you. Why? Even though you are happy, it is a great sign that your brand is attractive, and that opportunity is still coming your way. Keep the pipeline full.

What would your employment gap be if you lost your current job? Will your personal brand carry you to the next opportunity within a week or two? If not, you have work to do.

Rely on your brand, not your employer.

Source: Mike Miller Linkedin