How to Take Ownership of Career Growth

A recent conversation with a mentee trying to navigate the next steps in their career reminded me of an essential rule I always emphasize: You own your career, therefore you have to be in the driver's seat. They recently received some feedback from their manager that was confusing as it didn’t align with previous feedback. The conversation on next steps was very vague. Reality check: waiting for clear guidance or validation from others can leave you stuck in neutral. Instead, you must proactively manage your own career path. Here are a few things I suggested: 1. Do a Self-Assessment You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and career aspirations. Identify what excites you and where you see yourself in the future. Remember they can all change due to new experiences and gaining new skillsets. 2. Seek Constructive Feedback While feedback from leadership is valuable, it’s important to triangulate. Reach out to mentors, peers, and others in your function that you admire for their insights. Feedback is just one piece of the puzzle. Use it as a tool for improvement, not as a definitive roadmap. You never know when you might run into an unconscious bias. 3. Continuous Learning and Development I’m ever curious and always looking for learning opportunities. Look for opportunities to learn from other functions. The business world is continusly changing, and staying on top of the game, requires investing time to learn. Stay informed about your current industry trends but also look for best practices in others. 4. Advocate for Yourself People can’t read your mind, so they don’t know what your career goals and aspirations are. Don’t be afraid to articulate them to your leadership. Express your interest in new projects, responsibilities, or roles that align with your goals. 5. Adaptability and Resilience Career paths are rarely linear. My own has been a lattice. Be adaptable. Embrace challenges and view setbacks as learning experiences. Being in the driver's seat of your career means taking an intentional role in your professional development. While others can give you guidance, the ultimate responsibility for your career lies with you. What else would you tell him?

In my journey from eager professional to senior director, I discovered subtle, quiet habits that hold even the best talent back. Here are three of them, drawn straight from my own experience: 1. Waiting for Permission to Lead You might believe you must “earn” the right to step up. But the truth is, leadership isn’t granted—it’s claimed. Early in my career, I hesitated, waiting for explicit approval to take initiative. It wasn’t until I began acting from my own inner authority—trusting my vision and intuition—that my true impact emerged. Don’t wait for permission. Your authentic vision and courage are enough. 2. Ignoring the Power of Sponsorship Doing great work quietly behind the scenes feels noble. But great work without great advocacy can leave you overlooked. Early on, I thought merit alone was enough. Then I learned intrapreneurship requires building allies—actively cultivating sponsors who champion your work when you’re not in the room. Visibility isn’t vanity; it’s strategic. Build sponsorship early. 3. Sacrificing Balance for Productivity I used to see balance as a luxury I’d “earn someday.” So I worked relentlessly, neglecting rest, reflection, and renewal. The result? Burnout cycles and diminishing returns. True sustainable growth demands rhythm—balancing intense productivity with intentional recovery. Your energy is your most precious resource. Treat renewal as seriously as achievement. ✨ Don’t wait until you’re burned out, overlooked, or stalled to realize these subtle traps. Start thriving intentionally today. Follow along, and let’s build a career (and life!) you’re proud of. #InsideJob #Intrapreneur #CareerGrowth #LeadershipLessons #HolisticSuccess #MindfulLeadership #SovereignLeadership #BalanceMatters #FutureReady #CareerAdvice

I’ve been promoted 11 times in 20 years at 6 companies Here’s how I did it: 1. Eliminate entitled expectations and patiently play the long game 2. Be truly exceptional in your current role - don’t underestimate how long it takes to achieve mastery 3. Clarify and communicate your long term career goals including your ideal next step  - it is not up to your manager or anyone else to do this for you 4. Demonstrate you can do the next role by taking on key responsibilities of that position - you don’t need to ask permission to solve important business problems 5. Make your manager’s life easier, become indispensable to them and seize learning opportunities to take projects off their plate 6. Lead by example by exuding optimism, assuming positive intent and helping others, especially through challenging times 7. Don’t complain and only talk about problems, design and implement solutions that drive real results 8. Act like an owner and don’t let your current job description hold you back from doing what is required for the business to be successful  9. Respond to inevitable disappointment gracefully and don’t give up  10. Choose the company and evaluate the hiring manager wisely - a great company and an invested manager are two key ingredients to create the conditions for career advancement My biggest lesson 20 years into my career: The promotions are great but don't feel as good as you think they will - focus on the journey and the process, that's the good stuff #personaldevelopment

3 Ways to Advocate for Career Growth and That Promotion You Want!   I commonly get asked how I can advocate for myself or speak up about moving up within a company I work for. What do I need to say to my managers to tell them I am looking for something bigger?   Are you looking to take your career to the next level but unsure how to get noticed?   Here are 3 ways to be your own advocate and show leadership you're ready for more:   1. Schedule a Career Development Meeting: - Script: "Hi [Manager Name], I'd love to discuss my career development goals. Would you be available for a meeting in the next couple of weeks?" During the Meeting: - Discuss your accomplishments and how they've benefited the company. - Express your interest in specific growth opportunities or future projects. - Ask for feedback on areas for improvement and a development plan.   2. Take Initiative and Lead Projects: - Script (to a colleague): "I noticed we're facing a challenge with [X]. I have some ideas on how to tackle it. Would you be interested in brainstorming together?" Benefits: - Showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to take ownership. - Gain valuable experience outside your current role. - Get recognized for your proactive approach.   3. Shine During Meetings and Presentations: - Script: "[Summarize key point]. Additionally, I'd like to suggest [your idea] as it could potentially [positive outcome]." Tips: - Be confident and articulate your ideas clearly. - Back up your suggestions with data or previous successes. - Be an active listener and build on others' points.   Advocating for yourself doesn't have to be loud.   Be proactive, take initiatives, and demonstrate your value, and you'll be well on your way to achieving your career goals!   Let me know what you’d add to my list!   #careerdevelopment #promotion #leadership

Don’t Wait to Be Discovered—Move with Intention, Not Permission! If you’re a business analysis professional waiting for someone to hand you your next opportunity, it’s time to flip the script. Career growth doesn’t come from waiting in the wings—it comes from stepping into the arena. That means volunteering for stretch assignments, raising your hand for new initiatives, pursuing certifications, and proactively shaping your path. Here are 3 smart steps to start building a career that moves you forward: 🔹 Be visible. Join professional communities, speak up in meetings, and showcase your work. People can’t support your growth if they don’t know what you’re capable of. 🔹 Keep learning. Whether it’s formal education, self-paced courses, or real-world projects—stay curious and build the skills that tomorrow’s roles will demand. 🔹 Pursue aligned opportunities. Not every open door leads somewhere meaningful. Be intentional about roles and projects that align with the impact you want to make. Early in my career, I took initiative by reaching out to a young organization called IIBA. That single action led to decades of opportunity—volunteering, leading the development of BABOK Guide, v3 shaping numerous global standards, and mentoring professionals across the world. Your next step won’t look exactly like mine—but the principle is the same. Own your career. Explore, contribute, and be endlessly curious. This profession rewards those who take initiative. 👉 For inspiration on how business analysis can lead to incredible, diverse opportunities, check out my latest feature in IIBA’s Business Analysis Blueprint: https://lnkd.in/gfpAXihA 👉 And if you're ready to take action, my course Building a Successful Business Analysis Career on LinkedIn Learning is a great place to start. Let’s stop waiting for doors to open—and start building our careers, because you already hold the keys. I’m tagging a few outstanding business analysis mentors and coaches (and there are many) who can help you reach your career goals. Follow them, connect with their work, and explore their LinkedIn Learning courses, books, and podcasts —they’re valuable voices in our field. We’re part of an incredible community. Let’s continue to support and uplift one another as we grow, lead, and thrive together. Angela Wick Jamie Champagne Laura Brandenburg, ACBA, CBAP Yulia Kosarenko Susan A. Moore, CBAP, AAC, PMI-PBA, PMI-ACP #BusinessAnalysis #BusinessAnalyst #IIBA #CareerDevelopment 

When I first started at my company, I was eager to take on more responsibilities but hesitant to speak up. I worried that my request might be seen as overreaching. Then, a mentor gave me invaluable advice: "Opportunities are rarely given; they’re taken." This changed everything for me. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on my journey to help you leap: ➙ Self-Assessment 📝: Before asking for more, evaluate your current workload. Are you consistently meeting your deadlines and excelling in your tasks? This will show that you're ready for additional responsibilities. ➙ Identify Areas for Growth 🔍: Look for gaps in your team or company where you can add value. It could be a project that's been neglected or a new initiative that aligns with your skills. ➙ Prepare Your Case 📊: Approach your manager with a clear plan. Highlight your achievements, explain how you can contribute more, and detail the benefits to the team and company. ➙ Show Enthusiasm and Commitment 💪: Demonstrate your passion for growth. Enthusiasm is contagious and shows that you're genuinely invested in your role and the company's success. ➙Be Ready for Challenges 🚀: Taking on more means stepping out of your comfort zone. Be prepared to tackle new challenges and show resilience. After implementing these steps, I not only got the additional responsibilities I wanted but also gained the trust and respect of my colleagues and superiors. My career growth skyrocketed, and I felt more fulfilled in my role. Big Lesson: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Take charge of your career by proactively seeking out more responsibilities. You'll grow, learn, and stand out as a proactive, driven professional. How Do You Go About It? 📞Regularly communicate with your manager about your career aspirations. 📞Seek feedback and use it to improve continuously. 📞Network within your company to identify potential growth opportunities. Have you successfully asked for more responsibilities? Share your experiences and tips below! Let’s inspire each other to take control of our career paths. 🚀 ————————————————————————— Meeting me for the first time? I’m Rudy Malle, a clinical researcher dedicated to improving public health outcomes, and a career advisor helping ordinary professionals take their careers to the next level to enhance visibility for individuals and companies. #CareerAdvancement #ProfessionalGrowth #TakeTheLead #WorkplaceTips #CareerAdvice #LinkedInCommunity #personaldevelopment #20daylinkedinchallengewithhaoma #rudyhacks

Despite a rocky start as a software engineer at Google, I was able to compensate for 2.5 years of career stagnation with 2 promotions within one year, followed by becoming a Tech Lead. How did I do it? I took charge of my career and doubled down on my self-management skills. In the workplace, self-management is one’s ability to solve problems independently, show self-awareness, and operate autonomously. For optimal career growth, you still need to self-manage even if you have a manager. Managers don’t have the time or energy to handhold everyone. It’s not a scalable management strategy. When you self-manage, you're not only lightening your manager's workload but you’re also positioning yourself to receive more strategic and high-level guidance. That way, instead of discussing tactical things you can figure out on your own, you and your manager can spend your precious 1-1 time talking about where your career is heading, and how to get grow and get to the next level. The skills needed to self-manage: 1/ You can manage your timelines and deliverables 2/ You can make decisions independently 3/ You find the drive within yourself to start and keep going 4/ You can deal with your emotions in stressful situations 5/ You handle most conflicts on your own without needing to escalate 6/ You don't need your manager to give constructive feedback to others 7/ You build and manage your stakeholders 8/ You own your career development To read my story and learn more about how to build each of these skills, read my in-depth explainer: https://lnkd.in/dppGXpja

I learned early in my career: relying solely on my boss to promote me was a big mistake. I used to think it was their responsibility, but boy, was I wrong! Here's the deal: getting promoted is on us. We need to own it and take the wheel. Our boss can help, sure, but they can't decide for us. It's our journey to navigate. Waiting around for someone else to see our potential and hand us a promotion won't get us anywhere. We have to be proactive and take charge. That means identifying the skills and experiences we need to level up and actively working on them. It's all about seeking out learning opportunities, taking on challenging projects, and proving our worth to the organization. Building relationships with mentors and advocates who can guide us is key too. I can't stress enough how invaluable networking is in propelling our careers forward even faster. Networking opens doors to new opportunities and insights. Cultivating relationships throughout my career has been a game-changer, helping me accelerate my professional growth. So, never underestimate the value of networking. It can be a game-changer for you too. So, let's ditch the idea that promotions are solely our boss's responsibility. It's time to take control, set our goals, and go after them with everything we've got. By owning our career progression and harnessing the power of networking, we're setting ourselves up for incredible success and fulfillment. Take a moment to reflect on your own journey. Have you been waiting for someone else to give you a promotion? It's time to change that mindset. Let's own our destinies, make bold moves, and show the world what we're made of. #CareerManagement #OwnYourSuccess #TakeCharge #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

I have seen many software engineers and managers who are over focused on promotion. When manager asks them about career growth their short answer is "I want to get to the next level". There was a time in my career, when I thought about career growth like this too. I was lucky to have a great manager at the time. My manager explained it to me that promotion is not the only way to grow. When it comes to career growth, here's what you DON'T need: 🚫 A singular focus on promotion as the only measure of success. 🚫 A mindset of comparing yourself to others who have recently been promoted. 🚫 Checking boxes based on promotion criteria without considering personal growth and development. 🚫 Getting obsessed with promotion on a day-to-day basis. Here's what you DO need: ✅ A focus on developing skills and personal growth within your current role. ✅ Celebrating small wins and progress along the way. ✅ Looking at career growth as a multifaceted journey, not just promotion. ✅ Keeping a long-term goal of promotion in mind, but not getting bogged down by it on a daily basis. Stop obsessing over promotion as the only measure of success. Instead, focus on personal growth and development within your current role. Keep a long-term goal of promotion in mind, but don't let it consume you on a daily basis. #promotions #careergrowth