Stop Waiting for Someone Else to Drive Your Career
There’s a moment I see far too often—smart, capable people sitting in the passenger seat of their career, waiting for someone else to steer.
They’re waiting for their manager to notice their potential.
Waiting for the right opportunity to appear magically.
Waiting for HR to tap them on the shoulder and say, “We’ve mapped out your perfect path.”
And here’s the thing…
I used to be one of them. 😊
I thought if I worked hard enough, exceeded expectations, and showed up like a leader, someone would notice. Someone would hand me a roadmap. Tell me what role was next. Lay out what I needed to do to get there.
But then came the moment that shifted everything.
A role I wanted was posted, but nobody reached out to me. WTF?
I had all the signs: performance, experience, potential.
But what didn’t I have? A voice in the room.
That’s when I realized hard work isn’t a strategy. Visibility, clarity, and courage are.
That’s when I stopped waiting.
I booked the meeting. I asked the questions.
And I started driving my own development.
Truth Bomb: That’s how it works.
Most leaders aren’t wired to think that way. It’s not that they don’t care—it’s just that your development is rarely their top priority. (Their own career? Sure. Yours? Not so much.)
And if you think this only happens at the junior or mid-level, let me gently burst that bubble.
Are C-suite execs sitting around waiting for the CEO to lay out their next move?
Is the CEO waiting for the board to hand them their career vision on a page?
Absolutely not. So why are you?
No one cares about your career more than you.
And that’s not harsh; it’s reality, and it’s also empowering!
The Career Conversation That’s Not Happening Enough
Most of us weren’t taught how to talk about our career goals.
We think we need a 5- or 10-year plan, a catchy title, or a polished script. So we say nothing.
But career ownership isn’t about having it all figured out.
It’s about being clear on what matters to you AND being bold enough to speak up about it.
I have been developing a new framework to help people take ownership of their career with intention. It starts with four powerful questions:
- What do I need in a role to feel fulfilled?
- What kind of leader brings out the best in me?
- What type of organization aligns with my values and energy?
- And what actions do I need to take to get there?
This isn’t fluff. It’s clarity.
And clarity? That’s your fuel.
Get Curious Before You Get Strategic
Career ownership starts with curiosity, not a checklist.
You don’t need everything mapped out in a strategic framework; you need to start asking better questions.
Get curious about:
- Where you get energy (tasks, people, environments)
- What you value most (autonomy, purpose, recognition?)
- What excites you outside your current job (yes, that matters too)
Then, use that insight to initiate genuine conversations with your leader, mentor, network, and, yes, even with yourself.
Because if you don’t know what you need, how will anyone else?
One Conversation Can Change Everything
You don’t need a new job to own your career.
You need a new lens—and a conversation.
Speak up. Ask for feedback. Share your aspirations.
And don’t wait until your next performance review to do it.
One of the tools I’m building is a ‘Career Conversations Toolkit’—a practical, easy-to-use guide for turning generic check-ins into meaningful development conversations.
Because career development shouldn’t be a box to check.
It should be a two-way conversation grounded in honesty, ownership, and action.
Don’t Forget to Look Inward
Before you ask for more opportunity, get clear on who you are.
That means self-awareness. Reflection. Real talk with yourself.
What are your strengths?
Where do you get stuck?
What motivates you—and what drains you?
Understanding your emotional intelligence, values, and working style—all matter.
The more precise you are on what energizes and aligns with you, the easier it is to make meaningful, aligned career moves.
And Yes—Pay Attention to What’s Changing
The world of work is shifting fast.
Technology is evolving. AI is automating. Entire industries are transforming.
This isn’t fearmongering, but rather a reminder:
The skills that got you here may not be the ones that will get you there.
So stay curious. Keep learning.
And own the responsibility of staying ready for what’s next.
You’re Already in the Driver’s Seat
You may not know the destination yet.
You might hit a few detours.
But if you’ve read this far, here’s what I do know…
You are ready to take the wheel.
So, consider this your nudge.
Start with reflection.
Have the conversation.
Own what you want—and what you’re willing to do to get there.
Because your career?
It’s not a promotion waiting to happen.
It’s a journey you get to lead.
