Moving to a portfolio career - working as a technical board advisor and non-executive director.

Coding Chats episode 30 - Tom Hill and John Crickett discuss Tom's transition into technical advisory roles, exploring the concept of a portfolio career, the differences between fractional executives and board advisors, and the essential skills required for success in these positions. He emphasizes the importance of communication, understanding business dynamics, and navigating the complexities of the job market, particularly in the context of AI's impact on software engineering. Tom also shares insights from his unique career journey, from sound engineering to becoming a tech advisor.Chapters00:00 Navigating Career Transitions: From Tech to Advisory Roles03:24 Understanding Fractional Executives vs. Board Advisors06:14 The Role of a Board Advisor: Responsibilities and Engagements09:00 The Importance of Communication in Advisory Roles12:06 Politics and Influence in Leadership14:42 AI's Impact on Software Engineering: Myths and Realities17:50 The Journey to Becoming a Technical Advisor28:11 Navigating the Job Market Challenges30:51 The Rise of Niche Recruitment34:08 Transitioning to Tech Advisory37:03 Understanding Business Financials43:08 From Music to Tech: A Unique JourneyTom's Links:Tom's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhill-uk/John's Links:John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickettJohn's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickettJohn's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.socialCheck out John's software engineering related newsletters: Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.Takeaways:Tom Hill has embraced a portfolio career, combining various advisory roles.Fractional executives focus on outcomes rather than just time spent.Board advisors provide guidance without operational involvement.Effective communication is crucial for translating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.Politics is inherent in business dynamics, and navigating it is essential.AI serves as an efficiency tool but won't replace software engineers soon.The job market is currently chaotic, with many candidates and roles available.Building skills for advisory roles involves understanding business fundamentals.Tom's career path reflects a journey of continuous learning and adaptation.Transitioning from technical roles to advisory positions requires a shift in perspective.