Six Power Moves for Career Control
The Insider's Perspective:
The other day, I was talking with a friend- you know, one of those no-filter conversations where you skip the fluff.
They hit me with this:
“If you had to break it down, what are the must-have moves for someone to really succeed in their career? Not the surface stuff - what’s the real playbook?”
And I thought about it. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t - through wins, losses, hard lessons, and a whole lot of trial and error.
So, I told them:
“Alright, I won’t bore you with the 347 things you could do. Here’s the high-level perspective. If someone wants to grow - fast, sustainably, and with real purpose - these are the seeds I’d plant.”
Here’s what I laid out.
1. Start with Your Definition of Success
If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, you’ll spend your whole career working hard...but for what? Someone else’s version of success? A vague goal you think you should chase?
Here’s the truth:
Success isn’t one-size-fits-all - it’s deeply personal. If you don’t define it, you’re flying blind.
Here’s the framework to dial it in:
What lights you up?
What’s the impact you want to leave behind?
Can you clearly describe what “crushing it” looks like for you?
“Success” without clarity is just noise. But when you focus? That’s when things start to move.
2. Own Your POV (Point of View)
Here’s a game-changer: People pay attention to the person with a sharp, undeniable Point of View.
Your POV isn’t just your opinion - it’s how you see the world, solve problems, and create value. It’s the thing that makes people lean in when you speak.
Ask yourself:
If someone challenges you, can you back up your perspective with real insights?
Are you just following conversations - or are you leading them?
Sharpening your POV is what takes you from being a good worker to being someone others look to for direction. That’s the shift from contributor to game-changer.
3. Steer Clear of Career Quagmires
Let’s get real for a second: The biggest career killers aren’t the big obvious mistakes. They’re the sneaky ones you don’t see coming - the quagmires that slowly drain your momentum.
Here are a few of the big ones:
The Visibility Problem: You’re doing great work, but no one knows it exists.
Underestimating Relationships: Thinking your boss is the only person who matters (newsflash: they’re not).
Cultural Misfit: You’re stuck in a place where the values don’t align, and it’s eating you alive.
Here’s the fix:
Spot the quagmires before they sink you. Once you see them, you can start flipping those traps into stepping stones.
4. Influence is the New Currency
Being good at your job isn’t enough anymore. If you want to grow, you need influence - and influence is built on human engagement.
But let me clear this up:
Influence isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about:
Crafting your ideas so they resonate with the people who matter.
Adapting your communication style to fit your audience.
Showing up consistently with clarity and trust.
When you master influence, you stop chasing recognition - and start commanding it.
5. Learn From the Top Performers
Ever notice how top performers seem to be playing a different game? That’s because they are.
Here’s their secret playbook:
They don’t waste energy on busywork - they focus on what moves the needle.
They don’t network for the sake of it - they build strategic relationships with purpose.
They don’t leave things to chance - they operate with clear strategy, always.
Ask yourself: Are you going through the motions, or are you intentionally working toward the outcomes that matter?
6. Lean Into The Five Pillars Framework
Here’s the thing: If you’re trying to wing it, you’ll burn out fast. That’s why you need a system - a framework that keeps you on track and accelerating.
Enter:
The Five Pillars of Professional Development.
Here’s how it works:
Purposeful Influence – Craft your voice and presence to matter.
Confidence and Credibility – Build trust and deliver results consistently.
Success Drivers – Turn challenges into wins, every time.
Decision-Making Accelerators – Be the person who makes clear, fast, effective calls.
Intentional Velocity – Stop spinning your wheels and execute on what truly matters.
The Five Pillars aren’t just theory - they’re a roadmap for sustainable growth.
Wrap-Up:
So, after laying this out for my friend, I stopped and said:
“You know, I wish someone had shared this with me 30 years ago. Would’ve saved me a lot of trial and error - and a whole lot of facepalms. These insights? They’re the results of wins, losses, and everything in between.”
And that’s when it hit me:
Why not put these into a series of articles and videos? That way, more people can benefit from the lessons I’ve learned - and use them to take control of their careers.
If even one of these ideas sparks something for you, great. Because sometimes, one small shift can change everything. Let’s make it happen.
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