Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers and Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers and Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

Episode 116: Guest Brian Walch - The 3 Stages of Career Growth: What Engineers Need and Managers Overlook

59:10
 
Share
 

Manage episode 500981923 series 3510457
Content provided by Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers and Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers and Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Most engineers think career growth is about waiting for promotions or cranking out projects. It isn’t. In this episode, Brian Walch—leadership coach, consultant, and founder of Shift Focus Coaching and Consulting—breaks down the real framework for building a fulfilling career and the role managers play in making (or breaking) it. Not theory—practical, tactical advice you can use now.

Key Topics Covered
• Why fulfillment—not promotions—drives long-term career success
• The Risers Framework: relationships, influence, skills, experience, results, systems
• The 3 stages of growth: Practice, Perform, Pioneer
• Why most engineers plateau too early—and how to break through
• The role of managers in shaping project success and employee retention
• How to align personal goals with organizational results for faster progression
• The cost of complacency: why “good” employees leave when managers aren’t paying attention
• The spiral development matrix: career growth as an iterative process, not a straight line
• Why investing in people delivers the highest ROI for companies
• How AI and industry shifts are raising the stakes for engineers and managers alike

Actionable Steps
• Define one meaningful goal you can make progress on this week
• Map your Riser areas: relationships, skills, results, and systems
• Track small wins—don’t wait for big promotions to measure growth
• Talk with your manager about clear results that align with business goals
• Ask a senior engineer or retiring professional out to lunch for timeless wisdom
• Pilot “pioneer stage” projects before committing to new roles or leadership jumps
• Document results so managers and leadership can advocate for you
• If you’re a manager—ask employees about their five-year vision, not just next steps
• Create opportunities for people to test leadership safely before promoting them
• Invest in people consistently—whether they stay or leave, the ROI multiplies

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers stuck in “good IC” mode but unsure how to progress
• Early-career professionals debating management vs. technical tracks
• Managers worried about losing their best people to competitors
• Engineers who want clarity, confidence, and energy in their careers
• Leaders who know culture and retention are built on daily development

Why It Matters
Engineers often underestimate how much managers shape their growth—and managers underestimate how quickly engineers will leave when they stop progressing. Fulfillment comes from progress on meaningful goals. If you can align that progress with business results, you grow your career, increase visibility, and avoid burnout. Ignore it, and you’ll stall out—or worse, lose your best people.

Where to Find Brian
Shift Focus Coaching and Consulting
https://shiftfocus.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwalch

Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

Share
If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

  continue reading

116 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 500981923 series 3510457
Content provided by Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers and Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers and Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Most engineers think career growth is about waiting for promotions or cranking out projects. It isn’t. In this episode, Brian Walch—leadership coach, consultant, and founder of Shift Focus Coaching and Consulting—breaks down the real framework for building a fulfilling career and the role managers play in making (or breaking) it. Not theory—practical, tactical advice you can use now.

Key Topics Covered
• Why fulfillment—not promotions—drives long-term career success
• The Risers Framework: relationships, influence, skills, experience, results, systems
• The 3 stages of growth: Practice, Perform, Pioneer
• Why most engineers plateau too early—and how to break through
• The role of managers in shaping project success and employee retention
• How to align personal goals with organizational results for faster progression
• The cost of complacency: why “good” employees leave when managers aren’t paying attention
• The spiral development matrix: career growth as an iterative process, not a straight line
• Why investing in people delivers the highest ROI for companies
• How AI and industry shifts are raising the stakes for engineers and managers alike

Actionable Steps
• Define one meaningful goal you can make progress on this week
• Map your Riser areas: relationships, skills, results, and systems
• Track small wins—don’t wait for big promotions to measure growth
• Talk with your manager about clear results that align with business goals
• Ask a senior engineer or retiring professional out to lunch for timeless wisdom
• Pilot “pioneer stage” projects before committing to new roles or leadership jumps
• Document results so managers and leadership can advocate for you
• If you’re a manager—ask employees about their five-year vision, not just next steps
• Create opportunities for people to test leadership safely before promoting them
• Invest in people consistently—whether they stay or leave, the ROI multiplies

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers stuck in “good IC” mode but unsure how to progress
• Early-career professionals debating management vs. technical tracks
• Managers worried about losing their best people to competitors
• Engineers who want clarity, confidence, and energy in their careers
• Leaders who know culture and retention are built on daily development

Why It Matters
Engineers often underestimate how much managers shape their growth—and managers underestimate how quickly engineers will leave when they stop progressing. Fulfillment comes from progress on meaningful goals. If you can align that progress with business results, you grow your career, increase visibility, and avoid burnout. Ignore it, and you’ll stall out—or worse, lose your best people.

Where to Find Brian
Shift Focus Coaching and Consulting
https://shiftfocus.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwalch

Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

Share
If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

  continue reading

116 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play