Most engineers think personal brand is fluff—or something reserved for influencers and executives. That mindset is costing careers. In this episode, Steve Maxey and Jake Maxey break down what “personal brand” actually means for engineers, why you already have one whether you like it or not, and how unintentional behavior is quietly working against you. This isn’t theory—this is practical, tactical advice grounded in real engineering careers and real outcomes.

Episode 137 - Transcript

Key Topics Covered
• What personal brand really is: reputation plus awareness
• Why “doing good work quietly” is no longer enough
• How engineers accidentally build negative brands without realizing it
• The difference between being technically competent and being known
• Why consistency matters more than talent when it comes to reputation
• How visibility attracts opportunities, mentors, and leverage
• The danger of being everything to everyone—and nothing to anyone
• Why complaining online damages your career more than you think
• How engineers who lean into soft skills stand out faster

Actionable Steps
• Audit how coworkers, leaders, and peers would describe you today
• Decide what you want to be known for—then act accordingly
• Be consistent in how you communicate, respond, and show up
• Start engaging intentionally on LinkedIn instead of lurking
• Share insights, not complaints—digital history is permanent
• Focus on one or two strengths instead of random messaging
• Build awareness outside your immediate workplace
• Reach out to people in your industry without an agenda
• Treat reputation as a long-term asset, not a side effect

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers feeling overlooked despite strong technical skills
• Early-career engineers who want faster growth and visibility
• Burned-out high performers stuck in execution mode
• Engineers who avoid self-promotion and pay the price
• Professionals who want more control over their career trajectory

Why It Matters
Your energy, visibility, and reputation compound over time—positively or negatively. The engineers who advance aren’t just capable; they’re clear, consistent, and known. If you don’t take ownership of your personal brand, others will define it for you—and not in your favor.

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

You can be a top-performing engineer and still be stuck—underpaid, overlooked, and frustrated. In this episode, Steve Maxey and Jake Maxey break down why technical excellence alone doesn’t move careers forward. This conversation was sparked by a real example: a highly competent engineer, ten years into his career, still earning well below market rate. Not because he isn’t good—but because he isn’t visible. This episode is not theory—practical, tactical advice for engineers who want clarity, leverage, and real career momentum.

Key Topics Covered
• Why results don’t advocate for you on their own
• The difference between being productive and being visible
• How managers and leadership actually decide who advances
• Why loyalty and “head-down work” can quietly cap your pay
• The role of self-advocacy in raises, promotions, and opportunity
• How misalignment with your organization reveals itself
• What happens when leadership doesn’t know who you are
• Why asking directly for compensation clarity matters
• How career stagnation compounds over time

Actionable Steps
• Audit your compensation against market rates
• Define a clear income target instead of vague “growth” goals
• Ask your manager directly what it takes to reach that number
• Document your impact in terms leadership cares about
• Increase visibility through meetings, updates, and ownership
• Schedule recurring check-ins to track progress—not hope
• Study how promoted engineers behave, not just what they produce
• Test whether your organization rewards advocacy or silence
• Decide whether patience or change is the right next move

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers who feel underpaid despite strong performance
• High-performing ICs stuck without promotion traction
• Engineers relying on effort instead of leverage
• Loyal team members questioning whether it’s worth it
• Anyone tired of guessing how advancement really works

Why It Matters
Careers don’t stall because of a lack of effort—they stall because of a lack of clarity and visibility. When your work speaks but you don’t, someone else gets the credit. This episode connects energy, action, and advocacy so your performance actually turns into opportunity instead of burnout.

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.

In this episode, Steve and Jake break down what ownership actually looks like in the real world—not theory, not slogans, but practical, tactical advice engineers can use immediately. They unpack why most project failures aren’t caused by bad intent or incompetence, but by assumed expectations, poor follow-up, and misplaced blame. If you want better outcomes without burning yourself out, this episode will challenge how you think about ownership, communication, and leadership.

Key Topics Covered

• Why ownership is about eliminating blame—not absorbing guilt
• How unspoken expectations quietly create resentment and rework
• The difference between micromanagement and proactive leadership
• Why “I already told them once” is a dangerous assumption
• How reminder systems dramatically increase project success rates
• Using data—not emotion—to diagnose failures and adjust execution
• Why engineers confuse independence with effectiveness
• How trust changes the way expectations are received
• When letting something fail is actually the right leadership move

Actionable Steps

• State expectations clearly before work starts—even when they seem obvious
• Follow up more than feels necessary; assume people are overloaded, not careless
• Replace blame with data: what failed, when, and why
• Build simple reminder systems to close execution gaps
• Frame expectations around winning and outcomes, not authority
• Adjust your communication style quickly when working with new teams
• Track one variable at a time when fixing broken processes
• Take responsibility for information flow, not just your task list
• Ask: “What would increase the odds of success by 10–30%?”—then do that

Who This Episode Is For

• Engineers frustrated by repeated project breakdowns
• High performers who feel like they carry more than their share
• Early-career engineers learning how leadership actually works
• ICs trying to increase impact without burning out
• Engineers stepping into informal or formal leadership roles

Why It Matters

Unclear expectations don’t just slow projects down—they quietly damage trust, drain energy, and stall careers. Engineers who master ownership without blame stand out fast. They deliver better results, build stronger teams, and create momentum instead of friction.

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.