I don't know what to say — we're super aggressive in my company about promoting talent to technical leadership roles. I run a small (22 person) product/professional services company.
I think it might be the companies you're working for. If you're talented, and you've talked to your boss about it, she/he should respond in the shorter term with an opp. to accomplish your career goals. Or you need to leave the company and get a technical leadership job.
You might just be too tolerant to the paycheck.
I think that's why so many posters are suggesting you start your own startup. Get aggressive (politely) about what you want. Once you know what you want, the world either responds or whatever limits that circumstance goes away (if you're really clear).
My 2c. Startup or be clear with your boss or company switch.
< blatent advertising >
BTW, we're hiring tech leads. :) If you do Drupal or Mobile, email me. :) And no, this does not affect my advice... I'm just saying...
< / blatent >
I'm hiring for Drupal talent anywhere in the US. I'm also working on some crazy Grails startup projects (infrastructure stuff) which is going to require some real-time Hadoop work. We also need a project manager, a designer, and someone to help run the NYC office for our agency (Drupal evangelist, go to conferences, operations, sales). So, quite a few jobs here.
We're also looking for iOS developers (we've got quite a few projects).
I think it might be the companies you're working for. If you're talented, and you've talked to your boss about it, she/he should respond in the shorter term with an opp. to accomplish your career goals. Or you need to leave the company and get a technical leadership job.
You might just be too tolerant to the paycheck.
I think that's why so many posters are suggesting you start your own startup. Get aggressive (politely) about what you want. Once you know what you want, the world either responds or whatever limits that circumstance goes away (if you're really clear).
My 2c. Startup or be clear with your boss or company switch.
< blatent advertising > BTW, we're hiring tech leads. :) If you do Drupal or Mobile, email me. :) And no, this does not affect my advice... I'm just saying... < / blatent >