Career Success Stories

I remember I was heading into a board meeting when our office janitor, Mr. Ellis, stopped me. He said, "Your name tag's upside down." My first instinct? → Brush it off. → Pretend I didn't need help. → Protect my pride. Instead, I paused and said, "Thanks for looking out for me." He smiled and replied, "Doesn't matter your title. You represent all of us when you walk into that room." That single moment with Mr. Ellis's big brown eyes shifted how I viewed leadership forever. Six months later, I stood in that same boardroom, presenting a critical strategy. Not because I knew everything. But because I walked in carrying the quiet confidence that comes from respecting everyone who makes our work possible, from the janitor to the CEO. And respect carries more weight than any title ever could, regardless of the room you're in. Here's what most professionals get wrong: They think career growth is about impressing those above them. They forget that everyone, from the janitor to the CEO, sees how you really show up. They underestimate the wisdom in people that society often overlooks. But the highest-impact leaders I've coached share one trait. They lead with respect. → They treat every person like they matter. → They know trust isn't reserved for titles. → They understand influence starts with how you make people feel. That's how careers grow, not just in skill but in humanity. The C.H.O.I.C.E.® Framework makes this real: Courage: Stand for dignity, even when no one's watching. Humility: Know you're not above anyone. Openness: Learn from every voice. Integration: Turn respect into everyday actions. Curiosity: Ask people about their stories. Empathy: See the person behind the role. Here's how to start leading with respect and grow your career: ✅ Start small. → Thank someone whose work often goes unseen. → Respect is built in micro-moments that matter. ✅ Listen deeply. → Instead of dismissing someone's input, ask: → "What do you see that I might be missing?" ✅ Model humanity. → Show others how to treat people well, no matter their title. → Respect shapes culture and careers. The more senior you become, the more your treatment of junior staff defines you. Your peers judge your character not by how you handle power but by how you treat those without it. 💭 Who's someone "behind the scenes" who taught you about leadership? ♻️ Tag someone who leads with humanity. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC, for career coaching that's human to the core.

Reflecting on my leadership journey this year, one word echoes loud and clear: COURAGE. As the cornerstone of growth, courage has fueled every challenge, triumph and pivotal moment. When tasked with facilitating a leadership workshop, choosing Courage as the theme was a natural fit – embodying the audacity to try, the wisdom to trust, and the authenticity to tell. Inspired by Bill Treasurer's Three Buckets of Courage, the workshop delved into the essence of Try Courage, Trust Courage, and Tell Courage.   ✨TRY Courage: Take the Leap✨ Seth Godin's question echoes, "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" This is the essence of Try Courage – a willingness to take that first step into the unknown. ✨TRUST Courage: Release and Grow✨ Trust Courage is about letting go of past formulas and absolute control. In leadership, winning trust involves making bold decisions while empowering others. ✨TELL Courage: Speak Authentically for Safety✨ Tell Courage is expressing yourself fully, fostering Psychological Safety in teams. According to Bill, this bucket needs the most filling in teams and organizations. In today's leadership, courage is the vital force driving transformative actions and inspiring others to navigate uncertainty with confidence. Ready to infuse courage into your daily leadership? Here are three easy steps to get started: 🔦Reflect: Reflect on the past year, identifying moments where you pushed boundaries. Consider how continuing to try new things sets the stage for growth in the coming year. 📝Set Intentions: Plan for the upcoming year with intentions for trying, trusting, and telling. Where can you relinquish control and foster trust? How will you contribute to authentic expression? 🎯Take Action: Reflect on your communication style – have you created a safe space for others to share opinions? Turn reflections and intentions into daily steps. Challenge yourself to try something new, trust the process, or authentically express your thoughts.   🙋♀️Now, as we close this chapter, here's a personal reflective question for you: What courageous step will you take today to shape the leadership journey ahead? Share in the comments 👇 #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #growthmindset #chros #selfleadership Sketch: by the brilliant Tanmay Vora Based on the book: “Courage Goes to Work: How to Build Backbones, Boost Performance, and Get Results” by Bill Treasurer

Breaking stereotypes wasn’t easy. A banker once told me, ‘It’s better to be a shark in a pond than a fish in an ocean.’ That mindset shaped me. Some stories inspire us to aim higher and keep going. Anuja Bhekane’s journey is one that truly moves me - a story where she didn’t have a head start in life, yet today, she leads a team of 100. Here is Anuja’s story in her own words to inspire you to lead with courage and confidence. “I didn’t have a prestigious degree or a built-in career roadmap. Coming from a family of agriculture and farming, I had no exposure to the corporate world, no roadmap to success. Yet, I refused to let that define me. At 20, I began my career in the capital markets industry, a field traditionally dominated by men. My clients were CXOs of major banks, and through my interactions with them, I realized something profound: financial success wasn’t limited to business owners. Even salaried professionals could achieve wealth and independence. Over the past decade, I’ve been the only female Zonal Head in my field, earning credibility through performance - not gender. And while I’ve never played the “I’m a woman” card, let’s be real - challenges exist. Balancing work and family, ensuring my personal responsibilities never became an organization’s problem, and still delivering at the highest level - that was the biggest challenge I overcame. There were days I felt stretched between two worlds - one at work, one at home - but I never let either become an excuse. Three months after maternity leave, I was back at work - not to prove anything, but because my passion for what I do never took a break. Some days, success comes easy; other days, failure humbles you. The key is to turn setbacks into learning experiences. Staying grounded, being modest - that’s what sustains success in the long run. Even today, my aspiration remains the same. When I first met a CEO as a 20-year-old, I told myself that one day, I would be on that side of the table. That goal still drives me.”

I was once on the redundancy list but then was taken off. It was a wake-up call. The next year, I asked to be made redundant. I've never taken a long break, and embracing it allowed me to regroup. It gave me the luxury and leeway to find what truly drives me: learning and sharing what I've learned. If you've lost your job, I invite you to take this time to reflect, upskill, connect, and figure out what you truly want. Remember, rejection is often the universe's way of protecting you. I believe there’s something better out there for you. Drawing from my own journey, I understand the power of reshaping your career narrative. 🌍 Embracing Curiosity: I explored new places and interests, finding joy in slow travel and experimentation. 🌱 Learning and Growing: I dived into new skills like Spanish, salsa, bachata, and tango. Discovering improv was a revelation – it felt like dancing with words. 🤝 Building Networks: My travels strengthened my connections, opening doors to new friendships and opportunities. 🚀 Adventures in Uncertainty: Leaving banking wasn't scary; it was an exciting adventure, a chance to rewrite my story. 💡 Discovering Passion and Purpose: Dance was a passion, but storytelling was my calling. It allowed me to reconnect with a childhood dream and empower others through narrative. ✨ A Mindset of Possibilities: I chose to see a world of opportunities, not limitations. This perspective is transformative. If you're facing career challenges, remember: every setback is an opportunity to rediscover yourself and reshape your narrative. What possibilities will you choose to see? P.S. Have you ever found unexpected joy in learning something completely new? #whatsyourstory #storytelling #careertransition #careerchange #mindset

For 17 years, he never had to look for a job. Opportunities found him. Then he chose to build something from scratch— a proprietor-led setup, a founder’s vision, and full ownership. The first few months went well. Until they didn’t. Conversations turned personal. Feedback became criticism. KRAs changed after a major launch. He was never confirmed. For the first time in 17 years, work stopped being about performance— and became about survival. That’s when he stepped back. Not because he couldn’t handle it— but because he chose not to normalise toxicity. It’s been a couple of months now. And here’s the reality—coming back after a break isn’t easy. Not because capability is gone. But because narrative matters. How do you explain the exit? How do you rebuild confidence? He knows he’s not alone. Many professionals today step into promising roles— and walk out questioning themselves. But here’s the truth: 17 years aren’t erased by 9 months. One environment doesn’t define capability. And getting back isn’t as difficult as it feels— the right role just needs the right story to find him.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a career situation thinking, “I wish someone had told me this earlier,” I created this for you 👇🏾❤️ After over a decade navigating the tech industry—across continents, roles, and teams—I’ve faced imposter syndrome, made pivots, managed teams, and learned (often the hard way) what it really takes to grow in your career. Over the past few years, through content creation and coaching professionals at all levels, I’ve seen clear patterns emerge. The details might look different, but the challenges? Surprisingly common. So I created something I wish my younger self had access to—and I know it’ll help you too. 🎙️ A podcast that tells the truth about building a thriving tech career and growing as a leader. This podcast is for you if: ✅ You’re building (or rebuilding) your tech career ✅ You’re figuring out your next move ✅ You’re a new or aspiring manager trying to find your footing ✅ You’re an experienced manager looking to continue investing in your growth ✅ You want real, practical insight—not fluff 🎧 Start with these episodes: ✨ To Lead or Not To Lead; An Engineer’s Crossroad – weighing the pros and cons of life as an IC versus EM ✨ Redefining Your Value as a Leader – what you bring to the table post-IC transition ✨ The Career Zones: Comfort, Discomfort & Everything In Between – how to navigate long-term growth ✨ Ask Ibukun: Career Dilemmas, Q&A, and More – real questions, honest answers If any of this resonates, have a listen—and share it with someone else who’s trying to figure things out too. 🎙️ Listen here → https://lnkd.in/gZbxj-rP #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #EngineeringLeadership #TechCareers #PodcastLaunch #CareerCoaching #WomenInTech

🔸 5 amazing approaches to go beyond your KPIs and KRAs 🔸 Hitting targets is great. But going beyond them? That’s where the magic happens. 🚀 Beyond the Numbers: 5 Stories That Helped Me Outgrow My KPIs & KRAs. Here are five moments that taught me how to turn good into exceptional - 1. The Curiosity Call One day, I picked up the phone not to sell, but to ask a client what really kept them up at night. That single question opened a whole new project line we hadn’t even thought of. 👉 Lesson: Ask beyond the brief. 2. The Coffee That Closed Deals Instead of a formal pitch, I invited a potential client for coffee. We ended up brainstorming casually—and that idea turned into our biggest campaign of the quarter. 👉 Lesson: Relationships outperform rigid scripts. 3. The Unasked “What If” Late one evening, I scribbled a “what if we tried this instead?” in a project doc. The next day, it sparked an internal pilot that became our new standard. 👉 Lesson: Never underestimate small sparks. 4. The Silent Listen In a team meeting, I chose to just listen. I realized the youngest team member had the most disruptive idea, but no one noticed. I championed it. We won an award. 👉 Lesson: Impact hides in quiet corners. 5. The Growth Mindset Game I started mentoring New joiners and Interns, without judging them. In doing so, I learned new tools and trends from them. I grew more in that quarter than any metric could measure. 👉 Lesson: Invest in people, avoid investigating them. KPIs are the destination. KRAs are the route. But what you learn and unlock beyond them? That’s your legacy. #Leadership #BeyondKPIs #GrowthMindset #WorkplaceWisdom #ProfessionalDevelopment #LinkedInStories #ONETHINGTOKNOW

“We Regret to Inform You”, Isn’t the End - Advice to Young Professionals. For many young professionals, the phrase "We regret to inform you" feels like a punch to the gut. You've spent countless hours crafting the perfect resume, tailored your cover letter to perfection, and envisioned yourself thriving in that new role. Then, just like that, a single email shatters your hopes. It’s easy to feel stuck, to believe that this is a reflection of your worth or potential. But let me tell you, this is far from the end. It's just a part of your journey, a stepping stone that, while painful, can propel you forward with even greater determination. Patience is not just a virtue; it’s a necessity in the professional world. When faced with rejection, give yourself the grace to feel disappointed, but don’t let it define you. Use this time to explore other avenues, to network relentlessly, and to learn new skills that will make you even more desirable in the job market. Attend industry events, join professional groups on platforms like LinkedIn, and seek out mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement. Remember, each "no" is a building block, adding to your resilience and preparing you for the eventual "yes" that will come. One day, after all the rejections and heartaches, you’ll open an email that starts with "Congratulations." The joy and pride you’ll feel in that moment will be immense because you’ll know it wasn’t handed to you—it was earned through perseverance and belief in yourself. Every "We regret to inform you" will pale in comparison to the elation of that single acceptance. So keep moving forward. Your story is still being written, and the best chapters are yet to come. Stay resilient, stay hopeful, and keep striving for that moment when all your hard work will pay off. #CareerResilience

Dear friends, in these times, where many are feeling discouraged by the current challenges in the gaming job market, I want to offer an uplifting story. It’s a tale of perseverance and triumph that I hope will inspire and remind us that resilience can lead to unexpected success. It's about a man who, after graduating first in his class in college and eighth in medical school in his home country, sought greater opportunities in the United States, landing in New York. However, his transition was far from easy. The loneliness and adjustment to a new study environment hindered his performance, leading him to miss out on his preferred residency program. Yet, he viewed this setback as a hidden opportunity, switching disciplines and discovering his true calling. Despite his exceptional training and board exam successes, numerous challenges, including job availability, kept him from securing the type of full-time position he wanted. Undeterred, he worked as a house doctor across various New York towns, continually moving with his newlywed wife to make ends meet. He began to wonder if he would ever land a stable, long-term role. Fate took him to another state where he finally landed a position at a medical practice, albeit with very modest pay. When the senior partner unexpectedly had to step back due to health reasons, and the second most senior partner didn't want to manage the practice, he was thrust into the topmost leadership role as employee number 3. Embracing this chance, over 15 years he expanded the practice significantly to three locations and nearly 30 staff, turning it into one of the most successful for its specialty in the region. The man at the heart of this story, revealed now as my father, Dr. Behzad Satvat, embodies the spirit of never giving up. His journey from struggling to adapt in a new country to leading a successful medical practice is a reminder that opportunities often arise in the most unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times. My father's experiences, especially during those lean initial years in the U.S., when my mother literally made some of my clothes and toys and our curtains to save money, are a testament to the fact that life's setbacks can pave the way for unforeseen opportunities. They remind me daily to remain resilient, adaptable, and open to the twists and turns of life. May this story inspire you as it does me. Remember, life is full of surprises, and sometimes, it's the unexpected turns that lead to the most rewarding paths.

Part of the goal of The Edge of Work is to uncover what’s new and happening on the ground by learning from the strategies and work of global talent and learning leaders. This year, I’ve spoken with more than 50 leaders across industries about critical priorities and initiatives shaping the talent lifecycle. Here are just a few of the conversations which are featured on the podcast: 🔈 Jayney Howson (SVP, Head of Global Learning, ServiceNow): On ServiceNow University, its impact, and how AI is reshaping learning at ServiceNow and beyond. 🔈 Ruth Hickin (VP, Workforce Innovation, Salesforce): On workforce innovation and how Salesforce is preparing employees for the age of AI and enabling talent mobility. 🔈 Maya Razon (Leadership Development, Google): On designing learning that sticks and the mission behind The Google School for Leaders. 🔈 Tina Gupta(SVP, Talent Management, New York Life): On driving talent transformation at a 180-year-old company. 🔈 Carole N. Bennett, PhD (VP, Talent Management & Development, Sutter Health): On building talent strategy across a healthcare ecosystem and creating a true “career home” for employees. 🔈 Chris Louie (Head of Talent Development, Thomson Reuters): On empowering employees to own their careers, building systems and scaffolding to support them, and adopting AI in the workflow. You can find the links to these episodes in the comments (or tune in on your favorite podcast app). If you give any of them a listen, I’d love to hear your thoughts!