Rong Yan, the Chief Technology Officer at visual storytelling platform HeyGen, has some unconventional advice for technology professionals. He wants them to reconsider how they measure success in their careers. Yan shared his perspective during a recent appearance on The Peterman Pod, drawing from his extensive experience at major tech companies.
Don't Make Promotions Your Main Goal
Yan offers straightforward guidance to tech workers. He says they should avoid making promotions the primary objective of their work. "Don't make promotions the objective of your work," Yan emphasized during the podcast conversation. He believes linking job satisfaction too closely to titles creates unnecessary stress and actually hinders professional growth.
The former Meta employee explained his reasoning clearly. "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," Yan observed. He noted that focusing exclusively on promotions often leads workers to compare themselves with colleagues rather than concentrating on their own progress.
Yan's Impressive Career Journey
Rong Yan speaks from substantial personal experience. He earned his PhD in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University back in 2006. Since then, Yan has held significant positions at several prominent technology companies.
His career began with a research role at IBM. Yan then moved to Meta, where he transitioned from researcher to manager within just three years. Following his Meta experience, he served as a director at both Square and Snapchat. Most recently, before joining HeyGen in 2024, Yan worked as the vice president of engineering at HubSpot.
Focus on Skills and Meaningful Contributions
Yan encourages professionals to shift their focus away from titles. Instead, he recommends concentrating on skill improvement, continuous learning, and making meaningful contributions. He has noticed that employees who adopt this approach tend to advance in their careers naturally. They experience less constant stress from competing with colleagues and supervisors.
"The best way to grow your career is to keep learning and adding value, not waiting for recognition," Yan stressed. He believes professionals should prioritize skills and impact above everything else. This strategy helps build a solid foundation that supports both career advancement and workplace happiness.
Executive Coach Supports This Viewpoint
Andrea Wasserman, an executive coach, agrees with Yan's perspective. She advises employees to think strategically about opportunity timing. Wasserman suggests asking a simple question: "Will this timing make it easier or harder for me to get a 'yes?'"
Yan's message resonates particularly in today's competitive tech industry. Many professionals feel pressure to climb the corporate ladder quickly. His advice offers an alternative path to career fulfillment.
The HeyGen CTO has mentored numerous tech professionals throughout his career. He understands the challenges they face in fast-paced technology environments. Yan's insights come from both his personal journey and his observations of ambitious tech workers across different organizations.
His approach emphasizes internal growth over external validation. Yan believes true career satisfaction comes from developing expertise and creating value. This mindset shift can reduce workplace stress and lead to more sustainable professional development.
