How to Manage Your Career Progress

Deborah Liu was a long-time VP at Facebook where she built and launched multiple billion-dollar businesses, including Facebook Marketplace. Prior to Facebook, she was a Director at PayPal and eBay. She now serves on the board of Intuit and, for the past 3.5 years, has led Ancestry as CEO. In our conversation, we discuss: 🔸 Why you should PM your career like you PM your product 🔸 Advice for succeeding as an introvert 🔸 Strategies for incubating new products within large companies 🔸 Creating a successful 30-60-90-day plan 🔸 The pitfalls of perfectionism 🔸 The value of resilience and turning failures into stepping stones 🔸 How to leverage coaching in your career development 🔸 Much more Listen now 👇 - YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gvpRD46V - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gqEQUcKQ - Apple: https://lnkd.in/gmNhk9f2 Some key takeaways: 1. Treat your career like a product roadmap. Start by defining your long-term career goals and envision where you want to be in 5 or 10 years. Break these goals down into smaller, actionable milestones, similar to setting quarterly objectives for a product. Develop a career plan that includes key skills to acquire, roles to target, and metrics for success. Regularly review and adjust this plan based on your progress and any new opportunities or changes in your industry. 2. Introverts need to learn to speak up. Whether you like it or not, the business world favors extraversion. So if you don’t share your opinions and market your wins, you’ll limit your career progression. If you’re a leader, focus on creating an inclusive environment where your entire team has an opportunity to speak up, not just those who are naturally confident in group settings. 3. If the idea of self-promotion makes you feel uncomfortable, consider changing your perspective on what this process achieves. Think about it as a way of advocating for your team’s needs and resources, or sharing important metrics you’ve all achieved. When we shift the focus from “This is about me” to “This helps everyone,” the value of self-promotion becomes far clearer—and much more palatable. 4. When starting a new role, create a structured 30-60-90-day plan: a. 30 days (listening and learning): Meet with as many team members and stakeholders as possible (aim for 50 to 60 people) to understand their perspectives, challenges, and wish lists. b. 60 days (aligning and planning): Based on your learnings, identify one or two areas where you can make a tangible impact in the short term. Develop a plan to address these areas and present it to your team. c. 90 days (execution and impact): Begin implementing the plans and changes that have been agreed upon. Focus on delivering quick wins to build credibility and demonstrate value. At the end of the 90 days, review your achievements and the feedback received.

It's easy to spot the big red flags in a job. Toxic culture. Obvious broken promises. Financial issues. But most careers stall because of silent red flags. The stuff nobody talks about. The signals that slowly steal your drive. You stop learning. You haven't been challenged in months. You notice your boss dodges honest feedback, or only gives praise to favourites. Promotions go to the loudest, not the best. Team mates you respect leave quietly, and nobody ever explains why. You spend more time coasting than being challenged and excited to show up. Meetings are more about appearances than progress. You stop caring about results. One year slips into another. It's easy to ignore these signs. But they're the real reasons people end up stuck. So what can you do? First, get specific. Write down what you're missing. Is it growth? Recognition? Clear goals? Second, talk to people you trust. Ask direct questions. What have they seen? What do they notice about your environment that you might be blind to? Third, set a deadline. If something doesn't change in 3 or 6 months, what's your move? What companies or teams would actually push you forward? Finally, raise your standards. Don't wait for someone else to do it. You're in charge of your trajectory, not your manager, not HR. Don't just coast through another year. Back yourself. Look for teams that want people who care about getting better. If yours isn't one of them, take action. The best careers are built when you refuse to settle. Calidus Group #careers #talent #growth

Career Investing Framework: Manage Your Career Like a Stock Portfolio What if we approached our careers the way investors approach the stock market? 🤔 📈 Traders don’t just pick random stocks. They analyze trends, assess risk, and make decisions based on data, not emotions. Now, imagine applying the same strategy to your career. Here’s a framework that will help you ride your wins, cut your losses, and future-proof your career. 1️⃣ Identify High-Growth Careers (Stock Selection) 🚀 Just like investors look for high-performing stocks, you should focus on industries and roles with long-term growth potential. ✅ Follow industry trends—AI, sustainability, Web3, digital marketing? ✅ Learn where demand is rising and align your skills accordingly. ✅ Invest in industries that have strong fundamentals (not just hype). 2️⃣ Build a Strong Skill Portfolio (Diversification) 🎯 A good investor never puts all their money into one stock. Your career should be the same. ✅ Develop T-shaped skills—broad knowledge with deep expertise in one area. ✅ Don’t rely on just one income stream—consider side projects, freelancing, or passion projects. ✅ Stay adaptable—the economy shifts, and so should you. 3️⃣ Ride Your Wins (Doubling Down) 💰 When a trader spots a winning stock, they invest more. In your career: ✅ Identify what’s working—what roles, industries, or skills give you the best returns? ✅ Double down—seek promotions, upskill, or expand your network in those areas. ✅ Maximize opportunities—if a role or industry is taking off, leverage it to its fullest. 4️⃣ Cut Your Losses (Exit Strategy) ❌ No smart investor holds onto a failing stock. Likewise, in your career: ✅ If a job is stagnant, toxic, or leading nowhere—exit strategically. ✅ If an industry is declining, pivot before you’re forced to. ✅ Don’t let the sunk cost fallacy keep you in a bad situation. 5️⃣ Risk Management (Hedging Against Uncertainty) 🛡️ Markets are unpredictable—so is the job landscape. Smart career investors: ✅ Keep learning—your skillset should be your safety net. ✅ Network consistently—opportunities often come from unexpected places. ✅ Stay financially prepared—having a buffer gives you the freedom to make bold career moves. Think Like an Investor, Act Like a CEO Your career is your portfolio. You are the portfolio manager. ✅ Where are you investing your time and energy? ✅ Are you holding onto bad decisions for too long? ✅ Are you capitalizing on your wins? The best investors don’t chase quick gains. They play the long game. Are you? #careerstrategy #careergrowth #investing #trading #stockmarket

Are your career goals SMART enough to succeed? I’ve seen countless professionals struggle with career stagnation, not because they lack ambition, but because their goals aren’t structured for success. The right structure turns intentions into actions, and that’s what drives real progress. Enter the SMART framework: ✅ Specific – Get clear on what you want and why it matters. ✅ Measurable – Define how you’ll track progress. ✅ Achievable – Stretch yourself, but keep it realistic. ✅ Relevant – Make sure it aligns with your bigger vision. ✅ Time-bound – Set a deadline to create urgency. Here’s how it works in action: ❌ “I want to get promoted soon.” ✅ “I will meet with my manager next month to outline a development plan, take on two high-impact projects, and improve my leadership skills to position myself for a promotion within the next 12 months.” ❌ “I need to network more.” ✅ “I will attend one industry event per quarter, post twice a month on LinkedIn about my expertise, and schedule five informational chats with professionals in my field over the next three months.” ❌ “I need to find a new job.” ✅ “I will apply to five targeted roles per week, optimize my LinkedIn profile by the end of the month, and schedule two networking conversations weekly to increase my chances of landing a role in the next 90 days.” What’s one SMART goal you’re working on right now? Let's make it happen!

One of the talks I’ve given to a few teams internally at Microsoft is “PMing your career”. Mid-career is the perfect time to step back, see yourself as a ‘product,’ and start managing your career with intention and strategy. Here are 5 axioms I use as part of the frame: ➡️1. Treat your career as a Product with a strategic fit: Every high-performing professional has a unique value proposition. Regularly assess your Personal Product-Market Fit (PMF) to ensure that your strengths, skills, and how you’re positioning them align with the needs of your industry and your company. Strong careers, like great products, adapt to stay relevant and strategically fit. This helps you identify places you might need to grow too. ➡️2. Your resume is (kind-of) Product Review Document (PRD): Like a PRD highlights a product’s features, your resume should capture your top achievements and core skills. Keep it current and aligned with your goals, showcasing how your career product has evolved. ➡️3. Use feedback as your career “Customer Review”: Just as products thrive on customer feedback, your career benefits from input from mentors, peers, and leaders. Thoughtfully incorporate this feedback to stay aligned with your goals and make strategic improvements. ➡️4. Set a career Roadmap: Map out your career with a focus on strategy and clear goals. These checkpoints – skills to gain, connections to build, and roles to pursue – keep you moving toward your vision of success and position you for future opportunities. Ask others who have already taken the path what the checkpoints are. ➡️5. Embrace phases as part of your strategy: Like product lifecycles, careers have phases. In early roles, focus on mastering foundational skills; as you advance, lean into influence and decision-making; and eventually, hone discernment for opportunities. Each stage strengthens your overall career strategy. Hope this helps you today

Taking Charge of Your Career Growth in Medical Affairs For those in the field of medical affairs, especially medical science liaisons (MSLs), there are many paths your career can take. While some are content to remain individual contributors, others aspire to move into leadership and people management roles. If you have your sights set on becoming a manager of MSLs or other medical affairs professionals, you'll need to be proactive in developing the right skills and experiences. 1. Seek Out Leadership Opportunities The first step is to look for any chances to take on leadership roles and responsibilities, even in small ways. Volunteer to head up projects or initiatives within your current team. This will allow you to practice skills like prioritizing, delegating tasks, providing guidance and feedback, and keeping stakeholders informed. 2. Shadow Current Managers Make it known to your manager that you're interested in a leadership path. Ask if you can sit in on meetings they run or spend some time shadowing them to see firsthand how they manage their teams and duties. Observing good leaders in action is invaluable experience. 3. Develop Your Expertise Managers need a deep well of knowledge to draw from. Continuously invest time into expanding your expertise through training, conferences, reading, and discussion with peers. Become a subject matter expert in areas of importance to your company and therapeutic areas. 4. Work on Communication Skills As a manager, you'll need to be an effective communicator across all levels, from executives to field teams. Look for opportunities to hone your skills in areas like public speaking, running meetings, giving presentations, writing reports, and providing constructive feedback. 5. Build Your Strategic Vision Successful managers have strategic vision that allows them to see the big picture beyond day-to-day tasks. Work on developing this perspective by staying up-to-date on industry trends, understanding your company's overarching goals and initiatives, and thinking critically about strategies and long-term planning. 6. Ask for Stretch Assignments Once you've developed a baseline of experience and skills, ask about "stretch" assignments that will challenge you and expand your abilities. These could include roles that involve budgeting, project management, personnel management, or liaison with cross-functional teams. 7. Find a Mentor Identify leaders in your company whose career paths and management styles you admire. Ask if they would be willing to mentor you and provide guidance as you position yourself for a management role. Their wisdom and advice will be invaluable. The path to a career in leading and managing medical affairs teams is a journey of continual growth and development. By being proactive and purposeful in the opportunities you pursue, you can prepare yourself to excel in this crucial leadership role.

A recent conversation with a mentee trying to navigate the next steps in their career reminded me of an essential rule I always emphasize: You own your career, therefore you have to be in the driver's seat. They recently received some feedback from their manager that was confusing as it didn’t align with previous feedback. The conversation on next steps was very vague. Reality check: waiting for clear guidance or validation from others can leave you stuck in neutral. Instead, you must proactively manage your own career path. Here are a few things I suggested: 1. Do a Self-Assessment You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and career aspirations. Identify what excites you and where you see yourself in the future. Remember they can all change due to new experiences and gaining new skillsets. 2. Seek Constructive Feedback While feedback from leadership is valuable, it’s important to triangulate. Reach out to mentors, peers, and others in your function that you admire for their insights. Feedback is just one piece of the puzzle. Use it as a tool for improvement, not as a definitive roadmap. You never know when you might run into an unconscious bias. 3. Continuous Learning and Development I’m ever curious and always looking for learning opportunities. Look for opportunities to learn from other functions. The business world is continusly changing, and staying on top of the game, requires investing time to learn. Stay informed about your current industry trends but also look for best practices in others. 4. Advocate for Yourself People can’t read your mind, so they don’t know what your career goals and aspirations are. Don’t be afraid to articulate them to your leadership. Express your interest in new projects, responsibilities, or roles that align with your goals. 5. Adaptability and Resilience Career paths are rarely linear. My own has been a lattice. Be adaptable. Embrace challenges and view setbacks as learning experiences. Being in the driver's seat of your career means taking an intentional role in your professional development. While others can give you guidance, the ultimate responsibility for your career lies with you. What else would you tell him?

What if career growth wasn’t just about luck, but about following proven strategies? These actionable steps helped immensely in my career growth. 1. Excel in Your Current Role (Most Critical): Consistently meet or exceed expectations. A proven track record builds the foundation for future opportunities. 2. Align with Organization Goals: Understand your organization’s top priorities and demonstrate how your work contributes directly to them. 3. Seek Feedback Actively: Ask for constructive insights and act on them. This commitment to growth truly makes a difference. 4. Develop New Skills: Invest in training and learning opportunities to stay current with industry trends and keep your skills sharp. 5. Network Internally: Build relationships across departments. Gaining visibility beyond your immediate team shows you’re a collaborative team player. 6. Volunteer for New Assignments: Step up to take on responsibilities beyond your current role. Initiative today can lead to larger opportunities tomorrow. 7. Express Your Career Aspirations: Have open conversations with your manager about your professional interests and goals. It’s not just about a promotion—it’s about sharing where you see your future and how you plan to contribute to the company’s success. 8. Mentoring: Seek mentors to accelerate your learning and also become a mentor to others to support their growth. 9. Maintain Integrity and Authenticity: Express your genuine views respectfully. Authenticity sets you apart and builds lasting trust. 10. Stay Resilient and Patient: Career growth takes time. Keep delivering excellence and demonstrating your value—the results will follow. What strategies have helped you achieve your career goals? I’d love to hear your story! #leadership #career #technology

Careers don’t grow on autopilot. They grow when you choose to. I had a client reflect this week that Early in her career, she thought success was straightforward: Work hard. Keep your head down. Wait for recognition. But it doesn’t work like that. Here are the harsh truths nobody tells you about career growth, and what to do instead: 1️⃣ Own your path Nobody will care as much as you do. → Build your plan and systems, not excuses → Decide and act like the CEO of your career 2️⃣ Skills compound outside your 9–5 Your role won’t give you everything you need. → Spend 15-20 mins a day learning → Add one new skill every month (or even quarter) 3️⃣Include visibility in your plan Hard work means little if no one sees it. → Share progress regularly with key people → Speak up about your goals clearly 4️⃣ Preparation creates “luck” What looks like chance is really consistency. → Create habits that support your goals → Practise before the opportunity arrives (for 3 &4, see an article I wrote on increasing the surface area of your luck) https://lnkd.in/gzEHtj8B 5️⃣ Growth requires letting go You may need to leave to grow. → Audit your role against your goals → Move when alignment starts to fade 6️⃣ Setbacks are stepping stones Progress comes from lessons, not perfection. → Reflect on what didn’t work → Apply one improvement next time What would you add to the list?

Ethan Evans went from managing 6 people to over 800 at Amazon. He credits The Magic Loop for his quick rise over just 8 years. The Magic Loop is a framework that will accelerate your career. It will accelerate your job search as well! Here's what it is... 1️⃣ Do Your Current Job Well The most surefire way to advance in your career is to be good at your job. In your job: This allows people to trust that you're someone to invest time and energy into. In your job search: It also makes you one of the first ones people think of when they see an attractive job opening that needs to be filled. In Step 2, if you go to your manager and ask how you can help and their answer is, "Do your job," you're not ready to move on. 2️⃣ Ask Your Manager How You Can Help Managers put on a pretty face, but everyone needs help. In your job: Ask your manager what they need help with or even better, identify areas that they need help with for them and ask to help them with it. In your job search: Ask the team at your target organization about the problems they have. Dig deep to understand the specifics and how you can help. Be the most helpful person on the team. 3️⃣ Do What They Ask If you do steps 1 and 2 but don't execute on step 3 you may do more harm than good. It's critical that once you say you're going to do something... you do it! In your job: Understand the task at hand, create a plan for execution, share that plan with your manager, begin execution, and share regular updates with your manager. Upon completion, share results, next steps, and ask for more. In your job search: Take the problems you have uncovered, create a resource that solves the problem for them (case study, playbook, spreadsheet, etc.) and send it to the team. Bonus points for offering to do free work to implement it for them. 4️⃣ Ask For Work That Advances Your Career Many people think their manager has the superpower of mind reading. No one is thinking about you and your career as much as you are. And you don't get what you don't ask for. In your job: Seek tasks that interest you and improve your skills, aiding your 5-year career goals while benefiting the company. In your job search: Look for roles that bridge your current skills and your 5-year objectives. Once you've proven your skills, ask to discuss potential team openings and how you can be an asset to the company. 5️⃣ Repeat The Process The cycle continues with more good work. In your job: This is what leads to promotions. In your job search: Once you have executed all 5 steps for one target company, move on to executing them for your next target company. This process works and has been proven in both careers and job searches to produce outsized results. As you can see, it takes work. But the ones who get where they want to go are willing to do the work. --------------------------- P.S. Enjoy this? Follow me, Kyle Thomas, for more. #startups #startupjobs #hiring #jobsearch