I think the article is a good response to the question the student asked, though: > "As a principal engineer, how do you make sure your company stays at the fo

I think the article is a good response to the question the student asked, though: > "As a principal engineer, how do you make sure your company stays at the forefront of innovation?" This is most likely about using all the shiny new technologies in a rapidly changing "forefront of innovation". The article simply isn't about building innovative products and services. Of course, choosing boring technologies is one of the ways that you can help save engineering brain-cycles for the actual innovative core product or service you're building.