💡 Why This Episode Matters
Have you ever felt “stuck” because your next role had to be Director, VP, or bigger—otherwise you’d look like you were going backwards?
Or maybe you’ve been told the only way to grow is to climb the ladder: title → headcount → bigger scope.
Here’s the truth: careers aren’t ladders—they’re jungle gyms.
That’s what my guest, Adriane McFetridge—former Engineering Director at Netflix, CTO, and board director—has learned over a career that includes tech leadership, cross-border trade, product pivots, and even training for a half Ironman.
Adriane’s perspective is refreshing, real, and deeply relevant for women in tech who are navigating layoffs, pivots, or the pressure to keep chasing titles.
Why the Ladder Is a Trap
When we define ourselves only by title and team size, we box ourselves in.
Adriane shares that if you strip away your title—Engineering Director, Product Manager, CTO—you’re forced to ask:
👉 Who am I?
👉 What impact do I create?
👉 What truly fulfills me?
This reframing opens up more options—and helps you evaluate roles by the impact you’ll have, not the title on your LinkedIn profile.
The Jungle Gym Career Mindset
Kids don’t sprint to the ladder on the playground.
They run to the jungle gym.
They climb sideways, backwards, up, down—exploring from every angle.
Adriane explains why our careers should look the same:
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Lateral moves give you perspective you’ll never get from a straight climb.
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Step-backs can accelerate growth by giving you missing skills.
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Pivots into new functions expand your range as a leader.
Her own career includes being Chief of Staff at eBay, a global assignment in Sweden, and moving between engineering and product. None of those were “ladder moves”—yet they built the tapestry of her leadership journey.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✅ Why candor with your manager creates opportunities (including global ones)
✅ How to pivot into product management—even if it means starting smaller
✅ Why layoffs are inevitable in tech, and how to reframe them as resets
✅ How to evaluate roles by impact, joy, and learning instead of just title
✅ Why rewriting your “passion story” might free you to finally do what you love
✅ The persistence behind building a mobile app and training for a half Ironman
A Quote to Carry With You
🔥 “Your career isn’t a ladder—it’s a jungle gym. The sideways and backward moves often lead to the richest growth.” — Adriane McFetridge
Why This Matters for Women in Tech
Women often hesitate to share their aspirations, afraid it’ll sound like disloyalty. Adriane flips that: transparency helps leaders advocate for you.
And when layoffs hit (because in Silicon Valley, it’s when, not if), women leaders need tools to reframe the setback—not as failure, but as freedom to ask:
✨ What do I want to learn next?
✨ Where do I want to make impact?
✨ What would bring me joy?
This isn’t about climbing someone else’s ladder.
It’s about building a career—and a life—that fits you.
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Ready to rethink your career path and embrace the jungle gym?
👉 Listen here: limorbergman.com/podcast
▶️ Or watch the full video version on YouTube.
About Adriane McFetridge
Adriane McFetridge is a technology executive, former Engineering Director at Netflix, CTO, and board director with extensive experience leading global teams. She is passionate about career growth, leadership development, and helping others reframe success beyond titles.
About Me
Hi, I’m Limor Bergman Gross—executive coach, podcast host, and former Director of Engineering at DigitalOcean.
I help mid-level women in tech build strategic influence, develop executive presence, and get promoted—without burning out or pretending to be someone they’re not.
🌐 Website
🎧 Podcast
💌 Substack
📸 Instagram @limorbergman