Imagine if you could learn from leaders who created success when the odds were stacked again them. Well, you don’t have to imagine it because Wednesday Women is bringing that knowledge and insight to you here!
We asked 132 Wednesday Women "What is one piece of advice you would give someone early in their career?" Their responses are a treasure trove of wisdom and experience.
In an era where diverse perspectives are crucial to success, listening to the voices of women—especially those who have excelled in leadership—is hugely valuable for any modern professional. While each woman shared their unique advice, we found it fascinating to look through their collective wisdom–and see that it fell into five core themes.
1. You must have the right mindset.
The most frequently mentioned piece of advice related to cultivating the right mindset. Executive women emphasized three crucial mindsets for those just starting out:
Your Career is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: View your career as a long-term journey, rather than a race. This helps avoid burnout and encourages perseverance through challenges. It's important to focus on gradual growth and recognize that the path isn’t always linear.
Be Open and Agile: Say "yes" to new opportunities, even if they seem outside your comfort zone. A willingness to take on different roles and challenges will help you grow and adapt in a dynamic work environment.
Curiosity is a Superpower: Stay curious and never stop asking questions. A mindset of curiosity allows you to continuously learn, challenge assumptions, and find creative solutions to problems.
2. Share Your Whole Self
The second most common theme centers on the importance of self-awareness and self-advocacy. The women who mentioned this as their main piece of advice underscored the need to bring your whole self to work and to be your biggest advocate:
Identify Your Passions: Recognize what excites you and align your career path with these passions. When your work resonates with your interests, it leads to greater job satisfaction and motivation.
Leverage Your Strengths: Take the time to recognize your strengths and find ways to apply them in your work. This will not only boost your confidence but also increase your value within your organization.
Know Your Boundaries: Setting boundaries is critical for maintaining balance and preventing burnout. Self-awareness includes understanding your limits and being able to communicate them effectively.
Be Your Biggest Advocate: Whether it's negotiating a raise or asking to take on management of a project you’re passionate about, a key to success is speaking up and letting your presence be seen.
3. Don’t Stop Learning
Learning is the third major theme that was shared, with many women sharing practical advice on how to keep challenging yourself in an ever-changing world:
Actions You Can Take to Learn: Be proactive in your learning. Invest in yourself financially by taking courses, attending conferences, or hiring a coach. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it—mentors, peers, and even your direct reports can teach you valuable lessons.
What to Learn: Learn about business acumen, your industry, and the specific inner workings of your company. The more you understand the broader context of your work, the more strategic you can be in your decisions.
Where to Learn: Take advantage of a wide range of learning resources like online classes, webinars, blogs, and even influencers who share insights on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter.
4. Build Relationships and Network
The importance of building a strong network cannot be overstated. Developing and nurturing professional relationships is essential for career growth. Many of the women who gave advice highlighted the need to:
Cultivate Genuine Relationships: Networking isn’t just about who you know—it’s about building authentic connections with people who can offer guidance, support, and opportunities. Invest in these relationships over time, and they will become one of your greatest assets.
Seek Mentorship and Offer It: Don’t be afraid to ask for mentorship, and as you advance, make time to mentor others. The reciprocal nature of these relationships enriches both the mentor and the mentee.
5. Take Risks
The final theme that showed up in the answers to our question “What advice would you give…” focuses on stepping outside your comfort zone:
Embrace Risk: Taking risks is often necessary for growth. The women highlighted that it’s not just about taking any risk, but calculated risks that align with your career goals. Don’t be afraid of failure—it often leads to the greatest learning experiences.
The women who shared their advice have been through journeys unique, challenging, rewarding, and complex. These five themes that emerge from their experience provide a blueprint for anyone looking to navigate their career.
With the right mindset, self-awareness, commitment to learning, strong relationships, and a willingness to take risks, you can set yourself up for long-term success.
Ask yourself, which one of these five can I start working on today? Now, create a plan and go do it.
Leslie Pagel is a customer experience leader, helping companies create a competitive advantage through the human experience. She is also the founder of Purpose Project– a research study focused on helping all individuals find and realize their purpose in life. She supports Wednesday Women with her interest, enthusiasm, and expertise. In this series, she evaluates the advice of our featured woman to present actionable and insightful content that will keep the Ripple of inspiration going.