Apr 8 / Richa Bansal

Are You A Driver Or A Passenger In Your Career?

This week I want to talk to you about the single, most important decision that helped me fast-track my career growth.

This single mindset shift helped me land 5 promotions in 10 years, lead projects with CEO-level visibility, transition to a $200k+ role in Tech, and build a thriving business on the side of my full-time job at Amazon, while managing a young family at home.

It all started in 2015. I was a young engineer working for one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. I have big dreams, tons of faith in the corporate system, and two decades of my parents, school, and society constantly telling me, “Success comes to those who put their heads down and work hard”.

So I did what I was taught: I put my head down and delivered results.

I have a great relationship with my manager and was getting great performance reviews.

I had been in the role for over 2.5 years, so was getting itchy to move out. I had told my boss and HR already about my future aspirations, and they assured me that they were on the lookout for the right role for me.

My company did not post internal roles, so I trusted that my management recognized my work and they would find me a role that matched my expectations and value.

3 months passed and nothing happened. I followed up and was told they are looking actively.

6 months passed and nothing happened. Again empty assurances and no movement.

9 months passed and nothing happened. Again I was told they were still looking.

Then one day I found that my peer, who was junior to me, was moving to a role with bigger scope and title in a completely different org within the company. The role also came with a pay increase.

To say I was shocked (and disappointed) was an understatement. I asked him how this happened and found out he networked his way to this amazing position.

That day I decided to make my single, most important belief shift.

I stopped being a passenger in my career.

Instead, I DECIDED to become the Driver.

After that experience, I quickly leveled up to manage multi-million dollar P&L, lead large global teams, sponsor my own Greencard in EB1-A, start my side hustle, land a role with Amazon, stand up our unique women’s leadership program for the Government of Canada, and quit corporate to work full time on my growing business.

I was not at the mercy of my boss, my HR, my company, or the economy anymore.

I was the driver of my own career!

Below is a visual of what it means to be in the Driver’s seat of your career:
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Ready to use proven strategies to ditch playing safe, position yourself as the go to leader, and command the career and compensation you deserve?

Whenever you are ready, here are 3 ways I can help:

1. THE FEARLESS HIRE: The only job search accelerator for mid-senior women in male-dominated industries. Get the proven playbook, personalized coaching, and accountability you need to land your next $200k+ offer on your own timeline, and become recession-proof. 

2. WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR: The only women's leadership accelerator for mid-senior women across the Government of Canada. This 6-month leadership program will give you the confidence, skills and network you need to fast-track your growth to executive roles.

3. CORPORATE TRAINING AND PROGRAMS: Bring our award-winning keynotes, training and women's leadership programs to your organization to solidify your DEIB efforts. 

Your dream career begins here.

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