During speaking engagements at the organizations and Fortune 500 companies I partner with to support their leaders, women’s groups, or ERG/BRG/affinity groups, I am often asked, “Ginny, I want to advance and grow in my career, but I feel stuck. How do I navigate my environment to reach the heights I envision?” 

If this interests you, stick around because I will reveal two pivotal secrets that can transform your professional journey. 

Often, people struggle with navigating their work environment to reach the career heights they aspire to. The reality is that it can be disheartening to see others—sometimes with less knowledge—occupying “bigger” roles. You can’t help but wonder, “Why not me?”

Whether you feel stuck or want to take your career to the next level, this Vlog provides valuable insights to empower your journey. So, let’s dive in!

Shifting Your Beliefs and Aligning Your Vision

One common issue is that many introverts or extroverts have certain beliefs about career advancement. We might think that our value will simply be recognized and that we’ll be tapped on the shoulder for promotion.

Early in your career, you may have experienced promotions based on direct recognition from higher-ups, which led you to believe that this is how it should always work. However, as we climb the corporate ladder, we realize that ascending through the ranks can occur in various ways. 

This mindset often doesn’t serve us well. Shifting your belief system is essential because every workplace is different, and opportunities don’t always just land in your lap.

The magic happens when you align your vision for your future self with the professional you are today. This alignment is fundamental, ensuring you operate at your highest potential, which people will inevitably notice.

Claiming and Living Your Expertise

So, what’s the number one secret to elevating yourself in any professional environment? It’s about claiming your expertise. Let me share a personal story to demonstrate. 

I remember vividly attending a year-long training program with Steve Harrison when I began my new career after retiring from corporate in 2017. We gathered at the Sheraton Hotel near the airport in Philadelphia in a small conference room filled with people. During one of the exercises, Steve had us write down our expertise. I wrote, “I am a leadership expert with over 20 years of experience in the corporate world.” 

Then, our assignment was to stand up and introduce ourselves to new people, claiming this expertise aloud. And let me tell you, it was nerve-wracking. I felt this frenzy of energy inside, questioning how I could claim to be a leadership expert. But the fact was, after 20 years in multiple leadership roles, if I didn’t claim my expertise, then when would I? 

It became clear as I began to share it freely in this safe space. The more I shared, the more comfortable I felt. I started to own it. By the end of the exercise, I wasn’t just saying I was a leadership expert—I believed it. This is crucial because no one will see us as the leader we envision until we see it ourselves. We cannot expect others to recognize us as leaders if we haven’t claimed it and owned it first.

This exercise taught me the importance of showing up with our full expertise and confidence. When we do, people notice. Leadership sees us operating at the level we want to be and begins acknowledging that. They see that Ginny is showing up as a leader, and they start to think of Ginny for those roles and initiatives that need strong leadership. 

When you embody the role you aspire to, others can envision you in that position more easily. Start showing up with the confidence and expertise you’d bring to your desired role, and people will start noticing.

I share with my clients the key takeaway that you should claim your expertise and live it daily. This bold move is the first secret to advancing your career and living your values.

Raising Your Energetic Vibration through Mindfulness Practices

The second secret to career advancement is raising your energetic vibration. 

My coaching and leadership programs always begin by celebrating what’s working well. This practice isn’t accidental; it’s designed to raise our energetic vibration. 

When we are in a low-energy state, not much greatness happens. We feel contracted, confused, and underwhelmed, which isn’t conducive to growth. Conversely, in a higher-energetic state, we feel expansive, creative, and productive.

So, how do you shift from a low to a high-energy state? The switch is gratitude. 

The mindfulness practice involves focusing on what you are celebrating and grateful for. This simple shift helps your focus and elevates your emotional state from hopelessness to contentment and eventually to joy and gratitude. 

Making the switch requires you to recognize your current emotional state and make a conscious choice to shift it. Being mindful of how you feel and having the self-awareness to choose a more positive state is crucial. I delve deeply into these concepts in my best-selling books, Healing Leadership and Fearless Women at Work.

Start meetings or your day by focusing on what you’re celebrating and grateful for. This habit will not only raise your energetic vibration but also positively impact your team’s morale and productivity.

What have you gleaned from today’s Vlog? 

I’m inviting you to claim and live your expertise. And maintain a high energetic vibration through mindfulness and gratitude. These principles will set you on a path to achieving your career aspirations and help you feel more fulfilled.

In the meantime, if you find it challenging to implement these practices, know that you are not alone. In our Women’s Fearless Leadership Masterclass and beyond, I explore these concepts much further. 

This Masterclass is FREE for women seeking to grow and advance in their careers. It is tailored to help you claim your vision and unique value, build critical relationships, and develop a robust action plan for career advancement and greater impact within your company. 

I invite you to join me and embark on this transformative journey by saving your virtual VIP seat for September. You can register directly from our event page above. If you’ve joined us before, check your inbox for our email (info@executivebound.com) and let us know “I’m in!” to reserve your virtual seat today.

I believe the best is yet to come! If you agree, let’s go.

Live with purpose, live with joy!

Coach Ginny