Careers rarely follow a straight path, and Rong Yan, now a chief technology officer at visual storytelling platform HeyGen, believes that success should not be measured solely by promotions. So his best advice for those who want to climb the tech ladder is ‘Don’t aim for promotions’.
Why Promotions Shouldn’t Be Your Goal
“Don’t make promotions the objective of your work,” he said on The Peterman Pod recently.
Yan warned that focusing too much on titles can make career growth “painful” and stressful for ambitious professionals. His advice is particularly striking given his rapid ascent in the tech world. Since earning his Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University in 2006, Yan has worked at some of the world’s leading technology companies. He began as a researcher at IBM before joining Meta, where he advanced from researcher to manager in just three years. He later held director positions at Square and Snapchat and served as vice president of engineering at HubSpot, eventually joining HeyGen in 2024.
Focus on Learning and Meaningful Work
Over the years, Yan has mentored numerous professionals and noticed a common pitfall: tying personal happiness and career growth too closely to promotions.
“Don’t do that,” he said. “When you start to get into that mindset, you start to count your happiness or your career growth toward something that you don’t have full control over.”
Executive coach Andrea Wasserman previously told Business Insider that employees should consider the bigger picture and think strategically about timing and opportunities within their teams. She advised asking yourself, “Will this timing make it easier or harder for me to get a ‘yes?'”
Yan emphasized that the most successful professionals are those who focus on skill development, continuous learning, and making meaningful contributions. He said that employees who prioritize learning over chasing titles tend to progress naturally, without the added stress of comparing themselves to peers or fixating on hierarchical achievements.
He encouraged professionals to view their careers as long-term journeys rather than a series of promotions. By valuing personal growth, mentorship, and impact, employees can achieve satisfaction and advancement without sacrificing mental wellbeing.
Yan’s perspective highlights a growing trend in tech industries, where companies increasingly recognize that fostering skill development, learning, and meaningful work often matters more than simply rewarding title changes. His advice serves as a reminder that career fulfillment often comes from mastery, resilience, and contribution rather than immediate recognition.