Feeling Stuck in Your Career? Read This.

I remember attending my first SLT meeting. I was terrified. I was the youngest in the room and one of a handful of women.

I wanted the Boardroom floor to swallow me up. It wasn’t because I have a fear of public speaking - I don’t. It wasn’t because I didn’t think I was good at my job - I am.

It was because I was in an acting role and I didn’t feel I had the genuine backing of my higher-ups. If you've been a client, social media follower or email subscriber for a while, you may be familiar with my Good Enough, But Not The One story.

I felt fraudy as fuck and my imposter syndrome had shot through the roof. I took up smoking again and would hide in the carpark puffing away while my heart raced. 

I frequently hear stories from people who, for one reason or another (and the reason is often unclear), just aren't getting ahead in their workplace. 

It's not that they aren't good at their jobs. 

It's not that they aren't liked. 

It's not that they aren't performing well. 

There may even be protests or tears when they eventually hand their notice in. But for some reason, they aren't going anywhere. 

There is no investment, encouragement or energy coming their way. It may be that they aren't considered high potential or earmarked as part of a talent pipeline.

Maybe they have acted in a more senior role, often for an extended period, but ultimately not secured it. If you've been there, you'll know the experience can be utterly humiliating and confidence-shattering.

At performance review time, the feedback may well be that they are doing a great job, with no significant room for improvement. "Keep doing what you're doing!" they are told, as they head off with no clear plan on how they are going to take their career to the next level.

Perhaps they have applied for a couple of more senior roles and been unsuccessful - which is not a problem in itself, but if there is no strategy or commitment to helping them develop or upskill so that progression IS possible within a reasonable timeframe, that's a problem.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you aren't sure whether you have a future at your current workplace:

Do you feel seen, heard and valued?

Do you have access to training, PD and mentorship?

Do you feel backed by your manager when you discuss your career aspirations?

Are you provided with feedback you can actually translate into action?

Are you actively encouraged to apply for internal roles, or at least supported where you express interest?

If you feel like you're good enough, but not the one, it might be time to head to pastures new.

One man's trash is another man's treasure, so if your current workplace can't see your sparkle, mark my words, another will.