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From Director to VP in 6 Months

Writer's picture: Maya GrossmanMaya Grossman

Imagine being a high achiever your entire career… and then one day your manager calls you in for a meeting, and tells you they’ve decided to let you go.


You hit your metrics, you worked hard, you got the results… but that wasn’t enough.

You're in shock. Confused. Heartbroken.

You take a few days to regroup.

But instead of feeling better, you feel worse.

You start wondering: Maybe I’m not good enough…

A few weeks ago you were thinking about a promotion, and now you are telling yourself to make a lateral move, or even take a step back.

It makes sense, right?

Nope.


You are the same person you were 3 weeks ago when you were ready for a promotion.


Your skills didn’t change. Your experience didn’t disappear. So why is it that you are ready to take a step back?


This is what happened to one of my clients.

After a lifetime of amazing achievements, one role, with one company didn’t work out.

Her confidence took a hit and she could no longer see the bright career she once imagined.


But a few weeks ago the same client was hired as VP at a fast-growing startup.

How did she go from being let go as Director to signing a lucrative offer as a VP in 6 months?


This is what I want to share with you today.


From Director to VP in less than 6 months


If I had to give you the TL:dr about what made the biggest difference, I could summarize it in one word: Confidence.

Not a fancy resume

Not another certificate or degree

Not a LinkedIn makeover

Confidence in who she is and what she brings to the table.


Here are the 5 lessons that made this transition possible:


1. Believe in your worth:

One person’s opinion does not define your worth.


You can’t let one setback erase an entire career filled with success.

It’s as if Taylor Swift will stop singing because one critic didn’t like her new album.


With billions of dollars in sales and endless top hits in her past, one person's opinion just doesn’t matter.

It is exactly the same with your career.

You have earned your spot and proved that you are capable, so there is no reason to take a step back or give up on your dreams.

Tip: Create a brag list where you capture all of your past accomplishments to remind yourself who you really are.

2. Rebuild self-confidence:

You have to believe in yourself for others to believe in you. If you can't see yourself at the next level, neither would they.


This isn't about arrogance, it’s about psychology and how our brain works.


Attribution theory implies that people automatically connect confidence with competence. We attribute a confident demeanor to internal factors such as competence, self-assurance, or expertise.


So if the same person with the same skills shows up with confidence, they will be perceived as more capable, than if they show up with low self-esteem.


Not to mention, if someone is perceived as confident, they may be treated with more respect and given more opportunities.


This is not something you can easily fake, you actually need to have conviction in your ability to achieve your goal.

This guide on how to develop confidence will help you.

3. Have a bias toward action:

The easiest way to fail is to never try. That gives you 0% for success.

The fastest way to win is to take action, no matter how small.

Send one email. Reach out to one person. Ask for one favor.

Small steps compound and create massive breakthroughs in the long run.

4. Create a vision:

It may feel tempting to run in all directions to grab any opportunity.


You'll want to dull the pain with attention, but not all opportunities are made equal.


Keep a clear and focused vision of what you REALLY want and double down your efforts in one direction.


You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be the best for one specific role and company.


Paint a clear picture of where you want to go, so you can map out the path to get there.


5. Be patient:

You can’t measure your progress in days or even weeks. Good things take time.


The biggest transformations don’t happen overnight, they build slowly, one step at a time.

Don't make compromises and settle for good enough, just because you want something - anything really - right now. You deserve great, and you can have great if you just give yourself the chance to go after it.


The truth is...

Notice something interesting?


None of these steps have anything to do with job search tactics, and everything to do with managing your mindset and overcoming your fears.

My client didn’t get an MBA, or another certificate, or spent months gaining new skills.


She already had what it took to get to the next level, she just had to remind herself of who she is and what she really wants.

Mindset accounts for 80% of your success, and it can be the difference between staying stuck for a few more years and breaking through to executive roles right now.

I believe in you and I’m rooting for you.


Maya ❤️

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