Unleashing Potential – How A Single Conversation Transformed My Career Trajectory

I said to him: “I’m so unsure of myself. Do you think I can do well if I try something new?”

I wasn’t prepared for what he said next.

We’ve all met that ONE leader who has COMPLETELY changed our life.

I never believed this was possible till it happened.

When I joined P&G, I was a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed fresh graduate.

I was eager to please, eager to overachieve.

I flew high for the first three years in PR.

But I felt like something was missing.

I was a highly rated employee in a tiny department.

I wanted more.

I didn’t want to support the business.

I wanted to steer the ship.

But switching departments in the company was heavily discouraged.

It also meant that I would be starting over.

Erasing 3 years of hard work and skills that I’d learned.

At the time, I talked to my boss’ boss about this.

He was someone I really looked up to.

Soft spoken but firm.

With decades of experience and so many stories to tell.

I told him how insecure and unsure I felt.

How I didn’t know if I should change directions after doing so well in my department.

I wasn’t prepared for what he said next.

He said:

“I think you’re capable of more than you know.
And I am sure you will excel in whatever you choose.
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲.”

This happened more than a decade ago.

But those words helped propel me into many new directions in life.

After that:

I changed departments, changed companies, changed careers.

I’ve gone back to grad school.

Taken time off work.

Co-founded a startup.

And every time that I want to embark on a new adventure, I hear his words in my head.

He had confidence in me when I didn’t have confidence in myself.

And that has made all the difference.

Have you had a leader that has made a huge impact on your life? Would love to know.