Real Lessons on Moving Up in Tech Leadership

Cat Miller, CTPO of Talkiatry, shares her unconventional path from coding to leadership, including a detour into acting before rising into executive roles. She talks candidly about the realities of building a tech career you actually want, navigating transitions from engineering to management, and what it takes to succeed at the VP and C-level. This conversation is packed with lessons for anyone in tech who’s asking themselves, “What’s next for me?”

Key Takeaways

• Career paths in tech don’t have to be linear. Detours can provide perspective that makes you a stronger leader.

• Early dissatisfaction with day-to-day coding doesn’t mean you don’t belong in technology—it often evolves into broader roles.

• Doing your current job really well is often the fastest way to position yourself for growth when opportunity knocks.

• Building a network of peers and mentors is essential when stepping into senior leadership.

• Self-awareness and documenting your wins helps you stay grounded and measure progress at the executive level.

Timestamped Highlights

01:29 — Why coding wasn’t fulfilling long-term and how Cat thought about her next move

04:54 — Leaving a stable job to explore acting, and how planning made the risk manageable

10:35 — Returning to tech and finding the “perfect fit” role that shifted her career trajectory

16:35 — Rethinking work-life balance and how mission-driven work changes the equation

19:17 — Lessons from moving from VP to C-suite and the role luck and preparation both play

24:40 — Why building a strong peer network is critical once you reach the CTO level

29:14 — Tracking wins and staying accountable for your own performance as a leader

Memorable Line

“It just feels really gross to be bad at your job. So why wouldn’t you always do your best to be good at it?”

Pro Tips

Write down your team and personal wins each quarter. It helps you see progress that isn’t always obvious in the day-to-day grind.

Stay Connected

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