Early in my career at Microsoft, I was surrounded by brilliant minds. I thought my technical skills and hard work would speak for themselves. But after two years of giving it my all, I watched as others - some with less experience - got promoted over me. It was a wake-up call. I realized there was a crucial piece of the puzzle I was missing. Actually, two pieces: marketing and marketability. Today, I want to break down the difference between these two often-confused concepts

Picture this: You're not searching for jobs; they're searching for you. Promotions? No problem. They have been handed to you—invitations...

Did you cringe when you saw “relationship building”? This term is overused and often misunderstood, but it is absolutely crucial for your...

In 2017, my goal was to get promoted. I've been with Microsoft for about two years and felt like it was time. At first, I thought I'd...

Let's talk about a career trap that's probably all too familiar - being the infamous "get shit done" person. You know who I'm talking...

If you are a high achiever who aspires to Director or vice president roles, you need to master one skill. You need to become a great...

As an ambitious high-achiever, you already know that getting the support of your skip-level boss (the manager who oversees your direct...

You're a high achiever. You get things done. Your to-do list is your best friend. But here's the problem: being the go-to person for...

Imagine this... You've been crushing it at work for the past two years. Your performance reviews are stellar, you consistently exceed...

My transition into VP was anything but smooth sailing. I had just left my job at Microsoft and struggled to adjust to my new reality. The first few months were challenging and filled with mistakes and miscommunication. But every screw-up taught me a lesson; one day, these lessons turned me into an experienced executive. In retrospect, I realize you don’t become a VP when you get the title. You become a VP by doing the work and facing the challenges. This experience molds you

In my 15-year corporate career, I’ve interviewed hundreds of candidates and been part of interview committees that evaluated VPs, C-level...

Feedback is the best way to accelerate your career growth. In the corporate world, especially in the tech industry, having a manager who...

Someone recently told me they hope to gain my level of confidence one day. I was flattered but mostly amused. I still remember blacking...

The common promotion strategy - work hard and wait for your turn - often falls flat. The reason only 9% of people get promoted, is that very few realize they need a Push strategy, not a Pull Strategy. Reactive strategy - Wait (and hope) to be given a promotion Proactive strategy - Create the opportunity and make the promotion happen A reactive strategy can keep you stuck for years. You are relying on someone else to direct your future. A proactive strategy gets you promoted

When was the last time you intentionally promoted yourself at work? I’m willing to bet you know how important self-advocacy is for your...

A few days ago, I caught myself thinking, “OMG, this year is basically over.” I immediately stopped and counted. We’re six months in, but...

At this point in my career, I rarely worry about what other people think of me, but that is not how it started. A decade ago, all I...

Hiring for executive roles is different from hiring for junior and individual contributor roles. You are not promoted based on what...

You won’t like hearing it, but you need someone to be honest. Corporate politics get a bad reputation, but it matters. You can ignore it...

Becoming an executive is one of the hardest transitions to make in the corporate world. This transition is more about who you need to...