Culture Shock: Why Loyalty in Tech Isn't What You Think

When I started my career at Brightside, I still held on to the idea that loyalty in the workplace worked the same in tech as it did in other industries. You put in the effort, you stay the course, and eventually that effort is recognised and rewarded.

But one moment changed that perspective.

I applied for a junior architect role internally—a role I’d spent months preparing for. I’d contributed to architectural discussions, led by example in modernising our stack, and consistently delivered scalable solutions. I thought I had a real shot.

Then I learned the role had already been earmarked for someone else.

That realisation—that the process was just window dressing—was my wake-up call. It wasn’t personal. It was cultural. In technology, progression isn’t always tied to tenure or loyalty. Sometimes, it's about timing, internal politics, or simply who fits the pre-drawn narrative.

It stung at the time. But looking back, I’m grateful for the clarity it gave me. I realised I didn’t want to wait around for validation. I wanted to grow, to challenge myself, and to experience new environments. That experience pushed me to seek out roles where I could continue learning, leading, and expanding my impact.

Since then, I’ve worked across startups, scaleups, and corporate teams. And if there’s one truth I’ve seen repeated, it’s this: loyalty in tech is not about how long you stay—it’s about how much value you create. If you’re growing and contributing, that’s the best kind of loyalty you can offer to your craft.

So no, I don’t regret leaving Brightside. It was the right move at the right time. It taught me that the best career moves aren’t always about staying loyal to a company—they’re about staying loyal to your own growth.