What Tech Leaders Actually Do Differently in Their Careers
07 May, 20268 minutesWhat Tech Leaders Actually Do Differently in Their CareersA lot of people assume successful ...
What Tech Leaders Actually Do Differently in Their Careers
A lot of people assume successful careers in tech come down to having the right qualifications, the right certifications, or the strongest technical skills.
But after speaking with leaders across networking, digital infrastructure, AI, telecoms, energy, and data centres on The Route to Networking podcast, something else stands out much more clearly.
The people who build long-term success in this industry don’t just think differently technically. They think differently about their careers altogether.
Some came from sales backgrounds. Others started in finance, research, or operations. Very few followed a perfectly planned route into the industry, but many of them shared the same habits and approaches that helped them continue progressing as the market evolved around them.
Across these conversations, the same themes came up repeatedly: understanding the bigger picture, staying adaptable, using non-traditional experience as an advantage, and continuing to move forward even when there isn’t a perfect roadmap.
They Don’t Just Learn Skills - They Learn How Things Work
One of the biggest differences between people who stay in the same position for years and people who continue progressing is how they approach learning.
Early in most careers, people naturally focus on doing their own job well. Learning technical skills, understanding systems, and improving execution is important, especially in industries like networking and infrastructure.
But the people who move into leadership or become highly valuable commercially usually start thinking beyond their individual role quite early on.
Take Bill Serven, President and CEO of 1623 Farnam.
Even during his early days in door-to-door cable sales, he wasn’t just thinking about making sales. He became aware of how dependent the wider process was on different teams and systems working together.
“It taught me all of the gaps.”
That understanding of operations, delivery, customer experience, and process gave him a much wider perspective than just focusing on sales targets alone.
The same thinking appears in how Gary Cudmore, Senior Vice President at Rowan Digital Infrastructure, approaches engineering and infrastructure design today.
“When I design things now, I always look through the lens of the operator.”
That’s a very different mindset from simply building something that works technically. It means thinking about usability, maintenance, operational pressure, and how systems will function long after deployment.
And for Obinna Isiadinso at the International Finance Corporation, understanding infrastructure also means understanding economic impact, investment trends, and market growth.
“There’s always new technology that’s disrupting the legacy business model.”
That broader commercial awareness becomes increasingly important as industries evolve faster.
What this actually means for your career
If you want to progress long-term, technical ability alone usually isn’t enough.
The people who become most valuable are often the ones who:
- Understand how businesses operate
- Learn how different teams interact
- Think commercially, not just technically
- Focus on solving wider problems, not just completing tasks
The more context you understand around your work, the more opportunities tend to open up over time.
They Treat Uncertainty as Normal
Another major theme across these conversations was how comfortable successful people become with uncertainty.
Technology industries change constantly. Markets shift, new technologies emerge, and entire sectors evolve far quicker than they did even ten years ago.
The people who build long-term careers in these industries don’t expect stability. They expect change.
Gary Cudmore has worked through multiple generations of infrastructure technology over more than 40 years in the industry.
“It was a completely different environment than what you see now.”
He’s seen the industry move from simple computer rooms and mainframes to hyperscale AI-driven environments that require completely different approaches to power, cooling, and infrastructure planning.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel Harmon, Co-Founder and CEO of OceanBit, saw AI reshape the demand for infrastructure almost overnight.
“AI… drove hundreds of billions of dollars… and created bottlenecks in infrastructure.”
And Bill Serven described change as something constant throughout his entire career.
“Change was constant.”
What’s interesting is that none of these leaders talk about change negatively. They talk about adapting to it, learning from it, and positioning themselves around where the market is moving next.
What this actually means for your career
A lot of professionals spend too much time waiting for certainty before making decisions.
But in industries like AI, cloud, cybersecurity, networking, telecoms, and digital infrastructure, certainty rarely lasts for long anyway.
Instead of resisting change:
- Stay curious about where the industry is heading
- Continue learning new technologies and trends
- Be open to shifting direction when opportunities evolve
- Build confidence in your ability to adapt
The people who struggle most with industry change are usually the ones who stop learning too early.
They Use Their Background as an Advantage
One of the most interesting patterns across these conversations is how few of these leaders followed a stereotypical “tech” path into the industry.
Nathaniel Harmon combined oceanography, chemistry, and research with high-performance computing and infrastructure development.
“I saw a unique synergy between HPC and ocean thermal.”
That combination of industries and perspectives allowed him to approach problems differently and identify opportunities others may have missed.
Obinna Isiadinso entered the industry through investment banking and private equity before moving into large-scale digital infrastructure investment.
“That was my initial exposure… a new business model.”
And Bill Serven’s early customer-facing sales experience became a major advantage as he moved into leadership and operations.
What stands out is that none of these people tried to force themselves into a single mould. Instead, they used their different experiences to strengthen the way they approached business and technology.
What this actually means for your career
A non-traditional background is often far more valuable than people realise.
Experience in:
- Sales
- Operations
- Finance
- Research
- Customer service
- Project management
can all build transferable skills that apply directly to technology and infrastructure careers.
Communication, commercial thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving are increasingly valuable as industries become more connected.
Different experience often leads to different thinking, and different thinking is usually where innovation and leadership come from.
They Focus on Momentum, Not Perfection
Another thing that became very clear throughout these conversations is that successful careers rarely unfold exactly as planned.
Most of these leaders didn’t start with a perfect roadmap. Their careers developed through opportunities, curiosity, experimentation, and continuous progression over time.
Bill Serven didn’t plan to lead one of the most connected interconnection hubs in the US.
Nathaniel Harmon didn’t originally set out to build infrastructure linked to AI demand and ocean thermal energy.
Gary Cudmore didn’t map out a 40-year career across multiple generations of digital infrastructure.
Their careers evolved because they kept moving forward rather than waiting for perfect certainty.
What this actually means for your career
Too many people delay opportunities because they’re trying to make the “perfect” decision.
But careers in technology are rarely linear.
In reality:
- Experience compounds over time
- Momentum creates opportunities
- Learning while moving is often more valuable than overplanning
You don’t need to know exactly where your career will end up.
You just need to keep progressing, learning, and staying open to opportunity.
Final Thoughts
The people building successful long-term careers in technology aren’t necessarily the ones with the most traditional backgrounds or the most perfectly planned journeys.
They’re usually the ones who:
- Stay adaptable
- Continue learning
- Understand the bigger picture
- Think commercially as well as technically
- Stay open to change and opportunity
As industries like AI, networking, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital infrastructure continue evolving, those qualities are becoming more valuable than ever.
How Hamilton Barnes Can Help
Hamilton Barnes works with candidates and businesses across networking, telecoms, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital infrastructure markets globally.
Whether you’re exploring your next move or looking to build a long-term career in tech, our specialist teams provide support beyond just job applications.
This includes:
- Market insight and career guidance
- CV and interview support
- Salary benchmarking
- Certification recommendations
- Access to specialist infrastructure and technology opportunities
As highlighted throughout this article, long-term success in tech is often built through adaptability, curiosity, and exposure to the right opportunities.
Looking for your next role?
Explore here the latest opportunities across networking, telecoms, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital infrastructure with Hamilton Barnes.
Want to speak to a specialist recruiter?
Reach out to the team here to discuss your experience, career goals, and current market opportunities.
Want to hear more from The Route to Networking podcast?
- Follow Hamilton Barnes on LinkedIn
- Listen to The Route to Networking on Spotify
- Listen to The Route to Networking on Apple Podcasts
- Read more The Route to Networking podcast articles and insights
Featured Episodes & Articles
- Bill Serven- President & CEO at 1623 Farnam
- Gary Cudmore- Senior Vice President at Rowan Digital Infrastructure
- Nathaniel Harmon- Co-Founder & CEO at OceanBit
- Obinna Isiadinso- Global Sector Lead for Data Centre Investments at International Finance Corporation
FAQs
What helps people progress fastest in tech careers?
One of the biggest differentiators is understanding the wider business, not just your specific role.
Many successful leaders focus on:
- Learning how teams connect
- Understanding commercial impact
- Building communication skills
- Staying adaptable as technology evolves
Can non-technical experience still be valuable in tech?
Absolutely.
Experience in sales, operations, finance, customer service, or project management can provide valuable commercial and communication skills that are highly transferable into technology environments.
How important is continuous learning in technology careers?
Extremely important.
The industry changes rapidly, particularly across AI, networking, cloud, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. Professionals who continue learning and adapting are more likely to progress long term.
What industries are currently seeing growth in digital infrastructure hiring?
Some of the fastest-growing areas currently include:
- AI infrastructure
- Data centres
- Cloud networking
- Cybersecurity
- Telecoms
- Renewable energy infrastructure
- Edge and hyperscale environments
As demand grows, so does the need for skilled professionals across these markets.
