#87: Are you ready to step up?

The mindset shift that unlocks your career potential

👋 Hey, Leo here! Welcome to The Tech Leadership Playbook. Each week, I explain the concepts needed to become a better tech leader and grow your career. Subscribe to get every issue in your inbox.

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Hey Friends,

Welcome to the 87th edition of my newsletter.

As we are approaching the Christmas holidays and the end of the year, things are quite hectic. You know the saying, “It’s always calm before the storm.” Well, usually, in companies, it’s usually a storm before the calm.

So, things have been quite busy at work, and I’ve also been working on my last MBA assignments for the week. And the Christmas parties… everyone is throwing one. (I know, first-world problems).

I am waiting for vacation, though, to spend at least one day on the couch, watching Christmas movies from dawn until dusk. While I’ll probably get bored after a few hours and go for a walk. But I do want one day with no pressure and nothing on my to-do list. But I’m also excited about the free days, as I have some plans and things I want to experiment with this newsletter starting in January.

Are You Ready to Step Up?

For a long time I thought I had made a mistake not taking the leap sooner.

I’ve worked in the same company for 14 years, and while I moved up the ranks, a lot of those years were stagnant.

And then I moved to a technology director position in a Big 4.

Why had I not moved on sooner?

And it took me a while to figure it out: I wasn’t ready.

If I had left the company sooner, I would have probably gone to a similar position, a similar industry, etc. Even if I was thinking I was stepping outside my comfort zone, I wouldn’t have actually done it.

So, what really happened after 14 years? I shifted my mindset.

The Power of a Mindset Shift

Career growth is often mistaken for a series of external moves—changing jobs, getting promotions, or taking on bigger projects.

But real growth begins internally.

For me, the shift wasn’t about finding a new job; it was about redefining how I saw myself and my potential.

Here’s what I realized:

• It’s not just about moving forward; it’s about moving differently. Without a new perspective, I’d have ended up in the same patterns.

• Growth requires discomfort. It’s not just stepping outside your comfort zone; it’s staying there long enough to learn and adapt.

• Timing matters. Staying at my company for 14 years wasn’t a mistake; it was the time I needed to build skills, confidence, and clarity.

What Changed?

When I finally made the leap, I didn’t just move companies—I stepped into a completely different playing field. I went from a comfortable, familiar environment to a challenging role where I am constantly learning, adapting, and growing.

That transition wouldn’t have been possible without the mindset shift I had cultivated:

1. Adaptability: I embraced uncertainty and saw it as a chance to grow rather than something to fear.

2. Focus on Long-Term Growth: Instead of thinking about the next role, I thought about the next 5-10 years and what I wanted to achieve.

3. Ownership of My Path: I stopped waiting for opportunities to come to me and started creating them.

I’ve worked all my life in tech. My thinking a few years ago was that I would always lead tech teams; this was the goal.

Now, the goal is the impact I’m making. If this is in a CTO, COO, or even CEO position, I am willing to take on that challenge.

If it means leading tech people, tax people, or medical doctors, I am up for it.

And I am ready.

Are You Ready?

If you’re considering stepping up in your career, ask yourself:

• Are you genuinely ready to leave your comfort zone, or are you just seeking change for the sake of it?

• What skills or experiences do you need to build before making the leap?

• Have you shifted your mindset to focus on growth, learning, and adaptability?

Final Thoughts

Your career is a journey, and the most significant leaps often come not from external moves but from internal growth. Looking back, I don’t regret the 14 years I spent at one company because it prepared me for the challenges I face today.

But the real turning point wasn’t the move itself—it was the mindset shift that made it possible.

So, are you ready to step up?

Not just to a new role, but to a new version of the future?

Let me know in the comments how you’re preparing for your next big leap—I’d love to hear your story.

Recommendations:

1. 2025 Trends That Will Shape Our World: The Definitive Guide to Innovation, AI, and Beyond. Report by JD Meier, who was the head coach for Satya Nadella's innovation team

2. I’m a Billie Eilish fan and this unplugged is really nice:)

3. This post about engineering interviews.

   The Game of Software Engineering Interviews

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Well, I hope you liked this edition.

Thank you for reading, and join me in the comments section for further discussions!

Leo

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