Who’s Aiming Your Career? (Hint: It’s Not Your Boss)
In today’s dynamic work landscape, the days of linear career paths and waiting patiently for your boss to tap you on the shoulder with the next big opportunity are long gone. If you’re still relying on your manager to define your professional future, it’s time for a mindset shift.
Managing your career is your job.
Yes, a great leader or mentor can help guide, open doors, or advocate for you—but ultimately, you are the one who has to decide where you're going, and you have to take the steps to get there.
So how do you take ownership and start navigating with clarity and confidence?
Step 1: Start with a Self-Assessment
Leadership begins with self-awareness. Before you plot your next move, get curious about who you are right now.
Take time to reflect on:
What do I do well?
What drains me?
What gives me energy?
What do people consistently come to me for?
Tools like the CliftonStrengths (formerly StrengthsFinder) assessment can be a powerful mirror. It helps you identify your top natural talents—whether it’s Strategic Thinking, Relationship Building, Execution, or Influence.
Once you know your strengths, don’t tuck the report in a drawer. Reflect on it. Revisit it in conversations with trusted colleagues or a coach. Ask, “How am I using these strengths now? How could I use them more?”
Step 2: Notice What Sparks Energy
Career direction isn’t just an intellectual pursuit. It’s also somatic. Your body often knows before your brain does.
When you explore a potential path, ask:
Does this idea excite me?
Do I feel my posture shift—am I leaning in?
Do I feel a little jolt of possibility?
My colleague Julie and I call this “following the sugar cookies.” It’s that feeling when you catch a scent that makes you come alive and think, “Mmm, yes… more of that.” It might be subtle, but your body always gives you clues. That’s your internal compass pointing toward what’s most aligned.
Step 3: Map Possibilities That Align with Your Strengths and Energy
Once you’ve named your strengths and tuned into your energy, start brainstorming career directions. These might be roles, industries, projects, or even new ways of working (hybrid, freelance, creative, etc.).
Ask yourself:
Where can I use my strengths in service of something I care about?
What problems do I love solving?
Who do I admire, and what is it about their path that intrigues me?
Then test the waters:
Volunteer for projects outside your norm.
Have curiosity conversations with people in different roles.
Ask your manager if you can shadow a team or attend a meeting outside your department.
Step 4: Create Your Own Career GPS
Career navigation isn’t about having a 10-year plan. It’s about knowing your direction, keeping your tools sharp, and being ready to pivot.
Here’s a simple framework to guide you:
Reflect: What did I learn this month?
Reassess: Are my current roles/tasks aligned with my strengths?
Recalibrate: What small shift can I make toward more alignment?
Reach out: Who can I talk to about opportunities or ideas?
And remember: You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep looking for the sugar cookies and trust yourself to follow the what attracts your attention.
Lead Yourself First
Managing your career isn’t about waiting for someone to give you a map. It’s about picking up the compass, checking your internal signals, and making courageous, intentional moves. The more you align your work with your strengths and energy, the more you’ll show up as the kind of leader others want to follow.
So go ahead—take that first step. Do the self-assessment. Reconnect with your strengths. Pay attention to what lights you up.