When 130+ executive women were asked, "What one piece of advice would you give someone early in their career?", the most common theme they emphasized was having the right mindset. In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world, your mindset can shape the trajectory of your life and career more than any technical skill or qualification.
These women, who have navigated and excelled in challenging leadership roles, share three ways of looking at mindset as a key driver of your professional success. Let’s explore the wisdom and career advice they have to share…
1. Your Career is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
The most frequent advice was to view your career as a marathon or a long-term journey. Many people, especially early in their careers, fall into the trap of seeking rapid success and immediate results. The reality, however, is that growth takes time.
Executive women, who have been through many ups and downs throughout their careers, would advise younger professionals to adopt a long-term perspective. It’s critical to understand that setbacks, slow progress, or lateral moves are all part of a larger trajectory.
Your mindset—the way you perceive yourself, your abilities, and the world around you—has a profound effect on nearly every aspect of your life. The marathon mindset encourages patience and perseverance, helping you navigate inevitable challenges, transitions, and slow periods without feeling defeated.
Key takeaway: Slow, steady growth compounded over years creates a solid foundation for long-term success. Focus on consistency, not speed. Don’t let current setbacks deter you from your future goals.
2. Be Open and Agile: Say Yes to Opportunities
The second mindset-related theme centers around being open and agile in your career. The executive women who gave their advice spoke about the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities, even when they seem out of your comfort zone or don’t fit neatly into your career plan. Being adaptable is not about recklessly jumping at every opportunity, but about recognizing when a new challenge might open doors you hadn’t anticipated.
This echoes the concept of a growth mindset, a term popularized by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning. Research shows that those with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and continuously learn—all critical for career advancement.
Key takeaway: Stay agile, say yes to opportunities, and be open to the unexpected—you never know where it might lead.
3. Cultivate Curiosity: Ask Questions, Seek Knowledge
The third mindset these women championed is curiosity. A mindset of curiosity means asking questions, seeking out knowledge, and consistently pushing yourself to learn more. Whether it’s learning about your industry, your company, or even about yourself, staying curious fuels innovation and personal growth.
When you’re curious, you’re more motivated to learn, and that learning sticks with you longer. In the workplace, curiosity leads to better problem-solving, deeper understanding, and greater creativity. It also makes you a more engaged and dynamic leader—someone who is not just reactive but constantly seeking out new ways to improve.
In particular, the women identified both internal (learning from bosses, peers, company insights) and external (mentors, industry knowledge, peer sharing) sources. Especially with the growth of online learning, there are no limits to what an up-and-coming professional might learn, with a curious mindset.
Key takeaway: Cultivate a mindset of curiosity. Ask questions, seek out new information, and never stop learning. Your growth depends on your ability to explore the unknown.
Do you have the right mindset?
The advice shared by these executive women is not just insightful, it’s actionable. By adopting the mindset that your career is a journey, embracing opportunities with agility, and cultivating curiosity, you can set yourself up for long-term success.
Here are a few questions to move you in the right direction:
How might your career take a non-linear path? What various paths might lead to your overall career goals?
What can you do to be more open to opportunity? When are you closed-off to opportunity?
How can you practice curiosity this week?
In a world where challenges are inevitable, how you choose to think about your career will make all the difference. Embrace the journey, stay open to the unexpected, and never stop asking questions. Your future self will thank you.
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.