A few weeks ago, I asked my subscribers a fun question:
“What’s the weirdest but most effective career advice you’ve received?”
My friend Mykola had an amazing answer: “Treat every job as if you’re the CEO of the company.”
I LOVE this advice. (Thanks, Mykola!)
But I decided to put a little twist on it:
Treat every job as if you are the CEO of your career.
For example, if your name is Sarah (and there happen to be 163 of you who subscribe to this newsletter 😉), think of yourself as “CEO of Sarah Enterprises.”
When you adopt this mindset, everything changes.
The Problem
If you see yourself as just an employee, you wait for opportunities to come to you.
This passive approach limits your growth and potential.
Even if your company has the BEST career development offerings known to mankind, you will still struggle to reach your full potential if you don’t act like the CEO.
The Big Small Thing
When you think of yourself as the CEO of your career, you take bolder actions.
Here are 2 ways to act like your own CEO.
1. Snag High-Profile Projects.
Ask your boss about upcoming high-profile projects (the ones the VP will care about) and volunteer to help.
Need an easy script?
“Hi [Boss’s Name],
I’ve noticed that [Project X/Area of Focus] is a priority this quarter. I’d love to contribute for three reasons:
1) I’m passionate about improving [insert problem].
2) I’d like to collaborate more with leadership, and this project involves cross-team work at various levels.
3) In our last career discussion, we talked about me taking on high-profile work. I think this project would be a great fit.
Is there space for me to get involved? Perhaps on [insert X superpower like design, analytics, or communication]?”
2. Seek Out Training.
Don’t wait for your company to offer training—find it yourself and share your insights with your team.
Want to be a better presenter? Take the 60-minute training and then summarize it in 15 minutes in your next team meeting. (Or—for the more introverted among us—put your summary notes in a doc and send it via email.)
Now you’re not just learning for yourself. You’re bringing value to everyone around you.
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How This Helps You Chase What You Want
CEOs don’t wait for someone else to manage their growth.
They lead it themselves.
Quit waiting for opportunities and start creating them.
This proactive approach means faster growth, more fulfillment, and bigger success.
