Against the backdrop of the North Shore mountains, the tech world converged in Vancouver, Canada, from May 11-14 for the annual Web Summit Vancouver. With over 20,000 professionals in attendance, the event focused on navigating the constant stream of emergent innovation and the shifting nature of tech careers.
Amidst the flurry of talks, our Tech Evangelist, David Savage, sat down with several digital leaders to pose a critical question: “Given how quickly new tools and technology are emerging, do you feel increased pressure to keep your own skills up to date, and lead from the front?”
The consensus among these leaders was clear that the era of the purely administrative executive is fading, replaced by the necessity of the “builder profile”.
Leading from the tip of the spear
Our recent Tech Talent & Salary Report 2026 underscores a shift in leadership sentiment, revealing that 48% of technologists now rank a leader’s deep understanding of technology as one of their top three most valued traits. This isn't just a preference but a business imperative. Currently, 45% of tech professionals believe their leadership lacks a sufficient understanding of technology, which serves as a significant barrier to achieving organizational goals.
Eric Wittman, CEO of VSCO, echoed this sentiment during his interview, stating that he must constantly question the "old skills" that got him to his current position to make room for new, transformational ones. He emphasized that in this era, leaders must "lead from the front" by trying out the technology themselves.
The profound shift to "builder" backgrounds
This transition is most visible in specialized roles like the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Nancy Wang, CTO at 1Password, noted that the profile of a CISO is changing from a traditional compliance background to a "builder background". She highlighted colleagues who are engineers by training, using their technical depth to design reliable, scalable platforms rather than just checking boxes.
The pressure to be proficient is felt across the board table. As AI becomes the backbone of every business area, our Tech Talent & Salary report found that on a global average, 40% of technologists feel that their role is under threat from AI. Leaders who remain hands-on can better navigate this anxiety.
Avery Pennarun, CEO of Tailscale, shared that his designs are vastly improved after "a night of arguing with Claude," suggesting that those who don't learn these tools are wasting a massive opportunity.
Continuous learning is the new standard
Our Tech Talent & Salary report highlights that the drive for proficiency isn't limited to junior staff. Senior managers are now just as likely as entry-level apprentices to keep their skills up to date through conferences, workshops, and professional development. This mirrors the behavior of Nick Muy, VP of Engineering at Scrut Automation, who noted that AI has removed any excuse for leaders not to be "building every day".
However, the industry still has a gap to close. While 75% of respondents have access to AI tools, only 37% report that their organizations are actively investing in the necessary upskilling and training to use them effectively.
No excuse not to build
The insights from Web Summit Vancouver reflect a broader transformation. Technology leaders are no longer just faces of an organization but are leading from the front.
To bridge the gap between stakeholder ambitions and technical reality, today's leaders must embrace their identity as builders. As David Savage summarized, for the modern digital leader, the "builder profile" is no longer optional, it’s their personal brand.
Download the full Harvey Nash Tech Talent & Salary Report 2026 for deeper insights into salary shifts, AI implementation, and the changing nature of tech leadership.
Check out our full series of interviews with these tech pioneers:
