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by Seven Peaks on Oct 24, 2023 10:47:54 AM
My path towards becoming a Tech Lead - Cloud Solutions has been one of continuous development, where my curiosity and desire to gain knowledge pushed me to delve into various duties within my area of expertise.
I began as a system architect and later managed the entire development cycle as a system administrator, network administrator, tester, and lastly as a project manager.
The advancement of technology had a direct impact on how my career developed, in fact, the majority of my attention was devoted to keeping me up with the latest findings as these new technologies at the time entered the market.
I knew exactly what I liked, so I went to college and earned a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science before also going on to pursue a PhD and Master Degree in Computer Science as well .
The turning point in my career wasn’t, as one may expect, a project, specific event, or a certain job I had to do.
What happened was a shift in my outlook on life. Although I came from a solid background with a good job and a satisfying position—a circumstance that for many people embodies the "Italian dream"—I felt as though I was forced to swallow bitter pills every day, constantly having to do things I didn't like.
No longer was I trying to adapt, instead, I felt the need to get out of a toxic situation. I was faced with the necessity to change and to get myself out of a reality that, for me, was no longer healthy.
No longer was I trying to adapt, instead, I needed to get out of a toxic situation. I was faced with the need to change and to get myself out of a reality that, for me, was no longer healthy.
It took some time to adjust. Things didn’t get better and better right away as soon as I left. However, throughout my time at Seven Peaks, I look forward to going to work every day, which embodies the exact improvement I was looking for.
Like any other journey that involves growth on a professional level, from the start of my career, I have met many people that had either a negative or a positive influence in the formation of the professional figure that I am today. What I recall as being my most positive influence is Gianfranco, the man I always looked up to as my mentor.
I met him when I worked at University, where he worked as a database administrator. He taught me a lot of things from scratch, from how to approach problems, prioritize data analytics, and so on.
On the other hand, at a turning point in my career I met a businessman that provided me with a new insight into the business world. He made me understand a new concept that was far from my sight back then.
I had to get into the mindset that it didn’t really matter how valid and valuable the content was if the business revolving around it was poor. To me, this felt like it had a negative impact because I was putting a lot of effort into developing the highest quality of content.
At Seven Peaks, these two same aspects merged together. Understanding the clients’ needs and problems should come first, instead of starting for what the client is demanding. What really matters is the client’s needs.
Most of the time the criticality lies in the fact that the client has a different perception of the problem and wants us to focus on a certain aspect, which is on a different level to the criticality that we encounter and for which we believe is necessary in developing a solution.
“You trust the quality of what you know, not quantity”
One of the key drivers of my professional development was the desire for a constant acquisition of knowledge. This is what pushed me to never stop studying, as I strongly believe that if you leave behind or forget the basics, you cannot move forward.
The secret to Ongoing Growth is to make Incremental Improvements
The concept of gradual, continuous improvement is essential to any career.
There was a speech made by a sergeant in the army a few years ago that went viral which started with: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” I think that speech effectively summarizes this concept.
Making your bed in the morning sets a nice tone to the rest of your day, much as taking tiny, deliberate efforts can result in great professional advancement.
This entails routine skill improvement, keeping updated with emerging technology, and actively seeking out educational opportunities for my formation.
This approach helps you stay ahead in the fast-paced technology sector. It cultivates a mindset of ongoing learning and flexibility, which is essential in a field that changes quickly.
It not only keeps you updated but also establishes you as a leader in innovation within your group and company.
Accepting tiny, regular improvements paves the way for an expanding career in the fast-paced field of technology. These little efforts result in persistent success whether it is as a professional or as a human being, just as making your bed in the morning sets a positive tone for the day.
I was brought up with the idea that if you fall, you have to get back up on your own, and that autonomy is essential to both personal and professional growth.
For example, in this exact moment in time since I've come across and spoken with new individuals about new subjects, I had time to ponder, I have been able to come to new conclusions, and I am now concentrating on something different.
I perceive myself as being a different person than the Giorgio I was an hour ago. Even if it was only for a brief period, I got the chance to learn new things and grow personally.
The idea is that people who possess characteristics that allow them to adapt to their surroundings will have an easier time surviving.
Upon undergoing a life change, I became increasingly conscious of this concept as it applies to all aspects of life, including the workplace. To deal with this, I need to continuously work on or learn something new every day.
"We can’t know what we don’t know until we know it"
Ignorance can change, questions can be answered. I founded one of my career's guiding principles on the so-called "Dunning-Kruger effect" and my ongoing efforts to avoid this cognitive bias.
According to this matrix, confidence falls as knowledge rises, yet those who are fervently committed to their beliefs and are ignorant of all else tend to have a disproportionately high level of confidence.
I attempt to put into practice the concept of intellectual humility in my life and mindset. Know your limits, tolerate different opinions, and no matter how educated you are, being wrong is always around the corner.
If I had to give advice to a younger person interested in taking a similar path to mine, I would give them three primary pieces of advice since there are a few things I wish I had known sooner.
- Always apply this golden rule and ask yourself: how, what, and why.
- Secondly, recognize the value of knowing oneself and the fact that our own experiences have a significant impact on how we see the world, leading us to shape what we see.
- Last but not least, I would advise to never stop trying to enjoy what you're doing, and do as much as you can. Experience everything when you get the chance, since you cannot turn back time. And, whenever you have the possibility, step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. If you only live during the day, you will never know what the night is.
Giorgio Desideri,
Tech Lead - Cloud Solutions at Seven Peaks
Giorgio has 15+ years of professional experience working in the IT industry.
With official certifications in AWS and Azure, he’s proven to be a real expert in the field.