How to Build a Successful Career Path

I spent too many years thinking my boss was responsible for my career. Or the company. Or a magical fairy godmother. I thought it was everyone else’s job to advocate for me. To push me. To help me advance and grow. And I completely missed the fact that it was me. It was always ME. Our job is to be the biggest advocate for our careers. We are in the driver’s seat. And we can’t take a back seat and expect someone else to do the driving. Here are ten ways to start advocating for your career not tomorrow, TODAY: 1️⃣ Take a seat at front of the table, not at the back of the room. Be visible. Log onto that Zoom early, make sure people know you are there. Don’t shrink to the corner of the screen or room. 2️⃣ Raise your hand 🙋🏾♀️ Ask that question. Show you’re engaged and thoughtful and there to contribute. I always ask a question early on in the meeting to build my confidence to contribute more later. 3️⃣ Ask to be put on that assignment Make sure you are working on assignments that are priorities for the company. Especially in this market. 4️⃣ Coach your peers on their work You don’t have to have direct reports to have influence. Guide peers who ask for your help: position yourself for the next level by acting like you are at the next level. 5️⃣ Build a career development plan If your boss won’t help you do this, ask a colleague to be a sounding boarding or a friend outside of work. Understand what your goals are this year and what you want your next two roles to be. 6️⃣ Focus on one new skill you want to build What’s one new skill you want to learn that can help with your career growth? Pick it and commit to it. Block 30 minutes on your calendar daily to work on it. Make this time non negotiable. 7️⃣ Take credit for your work Even if they won’t let you in that meeting, share what you are working on with others. Whether that’s it in 1:1 conversations or in team meetings, make sure you let others know the impact you are making. 8️⃣ Get meaningful feedback If your boss keeps saying you’re killing it or avoids giving your feedback, ask others. Show up with what you think your strengths are and areas of opportunity to get their reactions. 9️⃣ Keep a track of your wins Start a Google doc or grab a notebook, and down all of your wins and the end of every month. This makes it easier to do your self evaluation during performance review time and update your resume. 🔟 Always have your resume ready Whether you are looking for internal or external, always have your resume ready. And make sure it’s not saved on your work lap, especially in this market where layoffs are happening every day. How do you advocate for yourself at work? #leadership #culture #inclusion #MitaMallick

Most people think career success comes from making the perfect decision. It doesn’t. It comes from making timely, values-aligned ones. Especially when the next step feels unclear. One of my clients, a brilliant VP, spent 3 months stuck on a single choice: “Do I speak up about being overlooked, or wait for my work to speak for itself?” She called it strategic patience. But it was really fear disguised as overthinking. We ran it through this framework. She made the call. Six weeks later, her promotion was fast-tracked. She was finally seen, heard, and most importantly, included. Because here’s what I tell every high-achiever I coach: You don’t need more time to decide. You need a better way to decide. Try the 2-Minute Decision Framework™ (Career Edition): 1. QUICK DECISIONS → Handle it NOW For low-stakes tasks that clog your mental bandwidth: → Can you respond to that email in < 2 minutes? → Is the request low risk and easily reversible? → Are you spiraling on something that just needs action? ✅ Do it. Momentum builds trust and confidence. (Your career doesn’t stall in the big moves, it drips away through tiny indecisions.) 2. TEAM DECISIONS → Resolve it TODAY For collaborative work or project bottlenecks: → Who’s recommending this approach? → Who’s doing the work? → Who’s accountable for the final call? ✍️ Assign roles. Align expectations. Move forward. (Most team confusion comes from no one knowing who’s driving.) Use this anytime you’re: – Leading a cross-functional project – Navigating performance reviews – Building team trust through shared clarity 3. CAREER DECISIONS → Make it THIS WEEK For decisions that affect your growth, visibility, and voice: Use the 3–2–1 Method: → 3 options: Brainstorm career paths, scripts, or solutions → 2 perspectives: Ask two mentors, not the whole internet → 1 call: Choose the path aligned with your long game 🎯 Clarity > complexity. Every time. This works for: – Deciding whether to advocate for a raise or promotion – Considering a lateral move for growth – Navigating visibility or speaking up on tough issues The truth is: courageous careers aren’t built on perfect plans. They’re built on small, aligned decisions made with intention. That’s C.H.O.I.C.E.® in action. So here’s your coaching moment: 🔥 Pick one decision you’ve been avoiding. Run it through the framework. Make the call within the next hour. Then ask yourself: What changed when I finally decided? ❓ What’s one career decision you’ve been sitting on too long? Share it below, or DM me, and we’ll run it through together. 🔖 Save this for your next “Should I…?” moment 👥 Tag someone who needs this framework in their toolkit Because alignment isn’t found in overthinking. It’s built through C.H.O.I.C.E.®. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for tools that actually work in real life. #CareerCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment

Early in my career, I faced a moment many of us dread: A sudden, unexpected company reorganization. It seemed like overnight ➟ my role ➟ my team ➟ my daily tasks were all up in the air. I remember the anxiety. The flurry of rumors. The uncertainty. They clouded my thoughts about the future. But it was in this chaos that I found clarity. I realized that change, though daunting, also brings opportunities for growth. I wrote an article on this for Harvard Business Review. Here are 5 actions you can take when your professional life is unpredictable: 1. Embrace the Uncertainty Use periods of change as a catalyst for introspection. Reflect on what truly matters to you and your future. 2. Define Your Identity Think about who you need to be... Not just what you need to do. 3. Focus on the Process Establish and commit to positive career behaviors. It gives you a sense of control and leads to results. Examples: • Contribute in each team meeting • Expand your network every week  • Offer a strategic idea to leadership monthly • Take on a stretch opportunity once a quarter • Thank a coworker for something helpful every day 4. Cultivate Learning Agility Be ready to adapt. Stay curious. Embrace new ideas. This mindset isn't just to survive; it helps you thrive. 5. Ask for and Act on Feedback Regularly seek feedback. Take time to reflect on it. It's crucial to know where you're growing. And where you need to improve. Change can be scary. But it's also a chance to reset. To pivot. You may discover new paths you hadn't noticed before. Remember... It's not the strongest or most intelligent who survive. It's those who can best manage change. Lean into the uncertainty. Use it as a stepping stone. Build a career that's not just successful, but also aligned with who you truly are. Find this valuable? Repost ♻️ to share with others.  Thank you! P.S. What keeps you going when things get uncertain?

The long road to career success is a two-way street between the efforts of the manager and the individual employee. We traversed one way in a recent post discussing ways in which managers can help their teams and employees succeed. Now, I would like to take a stroll to the other side and share some insights from my own experiences as well as suggest some ways people can forge their path.   The most important way to take charge of your own career is self-advocacy. It starts by picking a destination or at least direction. Then looking at the different roads that lead toward the industry or discipline of your choice so you can start advocating for opportunities to learn and to take responsibilities that will get you there.   While a “road map” is important, I also recommend keeping an open mind in the face of an unexpected detour or fork in the road. In my own career there were several pivotal moments where I faced choices that seemed less than ideal at first. But these detours turned out to be invaluable learning experiences that shaped my professional journey. One such moment came early in my career. I was working on payload fairings for rockets, a role that I thoroughly enjoyed and found engaging, but one that landed squarely in the middle of my comfort zone. Sure enough, discomfort came shortly, in the form of the Berlin Wall falling. The event triggered a domino effect of restructuring, program cuts and workforce reductions. I was asked to shift my focus to working on boosters — a task I perceived as far less exciting.   Reluctantly, on my manager’s advice, I decided to give it a shot. I embraced the work with curiosity and immersed myself into learning about composites design, stainless steel tank design, and leading a comprehensive test and development program. The decision proved to be a turning point in my career. We presented our findings from the test program I led to NASA and the Air Force, and the experience broadened my perspective and skill set in ways I never anticipated.   A well-prepared traveler also keeps abreast with the conditions not only on their planned path but also alternative routes. For example, having knowledge about manufacturing and products makes for a better engineer. Another aspect that determines the quality of one’s journey is their fellow travelers. As vast as the industry space seems, it can sometimes be a small world. Maintaining good relationships and not burning bridges keeps you from getting lost with nowhere to go and no one to help.   For anyone embarking a journey for career advancement, my advice would be to stay open to embracing new skills, opportunities, and people. Who knows where the road may lead? In the famous words of Dr. Suess - “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.” I look forward to your comments on your own career journeys! Happy travels!

I had a #mentoring conversation with someone new last week, and they were asking advice on how to pivot into a different department here at State Farm. I've had this question so many times that I thought it might be helpful to share some advice here and yes, I wrote this myself without #AI's help. ;) ⭐ Update your resume regularly. And please, do not list out your basic duties; think about the requirements of a job you might be interested in and how you can demonstrate current experience to translate into that future role. Use power verbs and definitely include keywords from your target job description. ⭐ Network! You absolutely need to build relationships within those target areas you want to move into. ⭐ Track your progress and keep your manager updated. Make sure you are telling your current leader what you want to do and how you are taking steps to get there. Ask them what else they'd suggest. How can they help you make further progress, and build other connections. ⭐ Leverage continuing education. There are so many FREE learning resources you can access but also programs to assist you in gaining formal education to fill in any gaps. ⭐Update your Individual Development Plan & #Workday skills. You can't measure what you aren't tracking. Set a calendar hold biannually at the very least to check in on your IDP and skills. Don't know where to find this? Login to Workday and look for Update Your Development Interests And Career Preferences. There's so many opportunities to have multiple mini-careers here at State Farm, make a plan and stick to the plan! #lifeatstatefarm #careerpathing #development

Hey there, it’s me, your coach Nina, how are you today? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the exciting but vast possibilities in your career? Society, your parents, friends, strangers on social media, and even your own expectations have all been suggesting paths you “should” take professionally. If you're intellectually curious and enjoy learning, you likely have a strong drive to grow already. You might already have some ideas about where you want to go and how to get there. However, with endless possibilities and only 24 hours in a day, it's important to have a focused and sustainable approach to your career development, one that prevents overwhelm and burnout. Here are some strategies to consider: 1️⃣ List out your career goals: What do you really want in your career? Is it money, title, creative freedom, influence, fame, or making an impact? In my early career I wanted to get promoted because the society says so, but after a few years I started to optimize for learning new experiences (hence jumping from corporate to startup to stand up a new team.) 2️⃣ Figure out your why: understand why you want to achieve something adds meaning and boosts motivation. Are you aiming for FIRE (financial independence to retire early), seeking respect as a manager, or craving intellectual exploration? 3️⃣ Define success: know your destination helps you figure out what resources or skills you need to get there. For instance, aspiring to be a people manager might require learning how to inspire others. 4️⃣ Identify the resources you need: Just like planning a trip, you need to know what to pack for your career journey. Determine the skills or knowledge necessary for your dream role. 5️⃣ Choose how to learn: Different people prefer different learning methods—reading, visual cues, podcasts, or hands-on experience. Find what works best for you and experiment if you're unsure. 6️⃣ Practice: Apply your new skills whenever possible. Shadow others, volunteer for projects, and actively develop the competencies you need. 7️⃣ Reflect regularly: Set a monthly reminder to assess your progress and adjust your strategies if needed. 8️⃣ Seek accountability: Remember the saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Find a mentor, friend, or a coach friend to support and hold you accountable. What strategies have you used or would you recommend to feel less overwhelmed and more empowered in your career growth? #careerdevelopment #professionaldevelopment #midcareer

I see it time and again, humble, hardworking leaders are often overlooked for the opportunities they want. They hoped their work would speak for themselves, but it didn't. It bears repeating that we have to stop waiting to be picked and advocate for our goals and desires. But your leader should "just know" right? I know it's tempting to think that other people are thinking of us and what we want, but they aren't. As it's famously said, "people are too busy worrying about themselves." Stop waiting to be picked and invest in yourself! Here are three simple ways you can take charge of your own career so you can be a key player in the talent pipeline: 1️⃣ Own your talents and experience. As a former HR leader, I can attest to the fact that men will apply to jobs that excite them (whether they were qualified or not), while women will talk themselves out of it, citing doubt, imposter feelings or “not feeling qualified yet.” ➡️ Try this: Update your resume and use this as an opportunity to own your wins. Use this evidence to give you a little confidence boost, but remember, you can apply and interview for your next-level job while also feeling doubtful. 2️⃣ Share your goals. People are horrible guessers and if they don't know what your goals are they can't help you, advocate for you or choose you. ➡️ Try this: Add a “professional goals and progress” section to your regular check in with your leader. 3️⃣ Ask for support. It used to be that the majority of coaching in the business world was for senior executives (read: male c-suite leaders). But now, as coaching and training programs have become more accessible to leaders of all levels, what are you doing to invest in and ready yourself to grow professionally? ➡️ Try this: Find a professional development program that excites you and ask your leader to cover some or all of the cost. In this ask, you can state the program goals and at least three ways the employer will benefit from your learnings and growth! Remember, at the end of the day your career is too important to leave it up others, hoping they'll notice your hard work and good intentions. Who have you shared your goals and aspirations with recently?

I used to think career success was a ladder – until life taught me it’s more like a winding path. Embracing detours has been one of the most valuable lessons in my career journey. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝟭𝟬 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿: ➡️ Be Open to Unexpected Opportunities Growth often comes from roles you didn’t plan for. ↳ Say yes to projects outside your comfort zone – they may lead to your next big move. ➡️ View Setbacks as Stepping Stones A career “pause” or shift isn’t failure; it’s redirection. ↳ Reflect on what a setback taught you and how it prepares you for what’s next. ➡️ Build Skills, Not Just Titles Skills you pick up in one role can unlock opportunities in another. ↳ Focus on mastering transferable skills that keep you versatile. ➡️ Network Beyond Your Industry Career paths often connect through unexpected people. ↳ Invest in relationships outside your current role – it’s often who you know that opens doors. ➡️ Prioritize Personal Growth Over Promotions True career fulfillment comes from alignment, not titles. ↳ Ask yourself, “Is this role helping me become who I want to be?” ➡️ Accept the "Side Step" as Forward Movement A lateral move can be strategic if it brings you closer to your goals. ↳ Seek roles that build critical experience, even if they aren’t an immediate step up. ➡️ Stay Curious About New Fields Sometimes your passion doesn’t align with your degree or background. ↳ Explore areas of interest, even if they don’t “fit” your current role. Curiosity can lead to big shifts. ➡️ Create Value Where You Are Meaningful impact can open doors faster than climbing ladders. ↳ Focus on making a difference in your current role, even if it’s not your end goal. ➡️ Pace Yourself – There’s No Deadline Success is a marathon, not a sprint. ↳ Trust your timeline and avoid comparing your progress to others. Career paths are deeply personal. ➡️ Remember – Growth Can Be Nonlinear Each role and experience adds layers to your unique path. ↳ Embrace every twist and turn; they’re all part of your story. The straight-line career is a myth. Embrace the detours – sometimes, they’re where you find your greatest success. Quote: Gary Tan -- ♻️ Find this helpful? Repost to remind others that career paths are unique. ➕ Follow me Nico for tips on designing an intentional and fulfilling career path.

Friends, I've frequently been posed a fascinating question about careers recently. To benefit everyone, I'd like to share my perspective The recurring query goes something like this: "Amir, what do you believe is the cornerstone of a successful career, something you might not have been aware of at the outset?" In my academic years – high school, college, and graduate school – I believed success pivoted on top grades, class rankings, or even intra-class networking. Wrong In the nascent stages of my career, I was under the impression that success equated to sheer hard work. Incorrect again Mid-career, I leaned towards factors like presentation skills, professional prowess, and a tendency to claim credit for achievements. Still off the mark Later, I surmised it was about forging numerous professional relationships and mastering workplace networking. Again, not the essence While the above elements have their merits, they're often necessary but not sufficient Reflecting on my life experiences, the business literature I've delved into, my formal education, and observations of varied career trajectories, I discerned a pattern among the truly successful. These individuals: *Efficiently pinpoint a few advocates (1-3) in each organization *Ensure these advocates will ardently support their work *Persuade these champions to back them consistently *Identify and align with individuals known for their extensive networking prowess and influential career reach and willingness to use it for others *Distinguish between genuine supporters and talkers, not wasting professional time (social time is different) on those relationships *Persistently replicate this across different organizations and departments Usually, the success of many can be traced back to a handful of people – mentors, advisors, or managers – who fervently vouched for them. Those advocated for might not necessarily represent the most talented or affable, but successful individuals master the art of building and nurturing these relationships nonetheless It's imperative to discern genuine supporters from fair-weather allies. Many seemingly promising relationships end up as fleeting encounters with little long-term value. The art of this discernment blends judgment, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to one's authentic self Lastly, the capacity for repeated relationship-building is crucial. As many professional connections reset over time, it becomes essential to continuously win over a few influential allies at every phase. Over the span of a career, these few pivotal relationships can provide an unshakable foundation, acting like a resilient spider web that multiplies in strength and reach People who seem to float from opportunity to opportunity are often seen as being very lucky or fortunate. They are for having that fate. But mastery of the starred points above, supported by other traits and a lot of effort, is what really makes such people appear lucky

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