What We Would Tell Our Younger Selves About Career Growth
We have all learned life lessons that we wish we could go back in time and tell our younger versions about, either to save time, to prevent unnecessary worry, to make things more efficient or to prevent any mistakes we might have made. Perhaps, in an imaginary world, if I could sit down for coffee with my younger self, wide-eyed and armed with ambition, I’d have a few things to share such as lessons learned not only in the workplace but in the living room of life too. Maybe, just maybe, these few things could be helpful to you.
This blog is part reflection, part advice letter, and wholly real. Whether you’re navigating early career choices, considering a new role, or in the thick of an intimidating promotion at work, this one’s for you.
1. Career Growth Isn’t Linear
To my younger self: forget the five-year plan. Burn it if you must. The truth is, career growth doesn’t follow a neat trajectory. It’s a squiggly, exciting, terrifying, sometimes nonsensical line. Imagine you are on a rollercoaster, you will eventually go down from the top and then back up again. Your trip through your career path would be excruciatingly boring if it was linear. Life will take you through turns and twists, on side roads and main roads and sometimes you will get stuck in traffic and you will get frustrated, sometimes you will take the wrong turn but with hard work and determination you will always find your destination. Your purpose.
Perhaps, you once thought leadership meant climbing steadily up a ladder, similar to that histogram on LinkedIn, promotion after promotion until you reached the top. But life always has other plans. There will always be detours, sabbaticals, and times you prioritse yourself over deadlines.
But here’s the kicker: those “pauses” are not delays, they are perspective. They help you return with renewed clarity and grit. Your growth won’t always be visible on a simplified CV but it will, certainly, be deeply felt.
2. Don’t Fear Flexibility
The moment you step out of your comfort zone is the moment you allow yourself more room to grow, beyond the boundaries of your old comfort zone. That flexibility is a superpower, not a setback.
Some may be worried that flexible work would make you seem “less committed.” We at CA Global wish we could tell our younger selves that flexibility fosters trust, creativity, and performance. Taking on flexible short-term contracts allow for multiple exposures to different locations, job roles and people, allowing you all that more exposure in a short amount of time.
At CA Global, we’ve seen firsthand how adaptable leaders thrive. Whether you’re managing teams remotely or balancing site visits with side hustles, it’s your output that counts, not your hours behind a desk.
3. Leadership Is About Presence, Not Perfection
You don’t need all the answers to be a good leader. You don’t even need to be the loudest in the room. You just need to show up—consistently, honestly, and humanely.
At CA Global we are always there for our clients and candidates because we believe that presence matters more than perfection.
Your colleagues won’t remember every decision you make but they’ll remember how you made them feel. Were you supportive? Transparent? Empowering?
So to all of our executives, a C-level people out there, stop trying to be the perfect leader and, instead, start working on being a present one.
4. You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup
I know you probably want to prove yourself. To say “yes” to everything. To be everywhere at once. But burnout is not a badge of honour, it’s a warning light. It’s a mental concern that must be taken seriously.
One of the hardest lessons go-getters like you reading this is most probably learning to pause. Not because you want to, but because you have to. Consider this revelation, rest will make you better. A better leader. A better problem-solver. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s strategic. You can’t lead teams or close deals if you’re constantly running on empty. My pro tip: Schedule rest like you schedule meetings. Your future self will thank you.
5. Career Growth Looks Different for Everyone
The corporate world defines success through title changes and salary bumps. However, in the modern world of today, which is run by human-first approaches, it is vital to note that growth comes in many shapes: launching a project, mentoring a colleague, speaking up in meetings, or finally finding a balance that lets you rest and work hard.
At CA Global, we’ve worked with professionals who’ve grown by changing industries, continents, or completely reinventing their careers. There’s no one-size-fits-all. So define your version of success and then chase that. With that said, don’t measure your career against someone else’s. Your path is valid, and your version of growth is enough.
6. Your Support Network Is Gold, Nurture It
Behind every successful leader is a group of colleagues who pick up the slack, managers who advocate, friends who listen, and family who cheer you on during late-night pitch preps.
Human nature to succeed and be happy, demands support systems. It’s not weak to ask for help, instead think of it as being wise. It’s also important to know that it’s not all about receiving support, but also about offering it to others around you.
At CA Global, we believe in building teams where people lift each other up, whether it’s a recruiter mentoring a junior consultant or a team member covering for another when on sick leave.
Work and life should not be lonely, unless you let it be.
7. Growth Happens at the Edge of Comfort
To our younger selves: lean into the discomfort. That’s where the real magic happens. Whether it’s moving into a new role, managing a bigger team, or speaking up for change, those scary steps often lead to the most fulfilling growth.
Most importantly, you must get comfortable being uncomfortable. It means you’re expanding.
8. Empathy Is Your Greatest Social Tool
Today’s workplaces need empathetic leaders, people who understand that team members are also caregivers, dreamers, survivors, and more. Empathy isn’t soft, it’s powerful. Knowing our clients’ and candidates’ context is the reason we have such a positive placement track.
At CA Global, we recruit leaders who bring emotional intelligence to the table, because industries don’t just run on profit, they run on people.
A Letter to the Dreamer You Once Were
To the ambitious, bright-eyed version of you:
You’ll achieve more than you thought and fail more often than you planned. You’ll cry in boardrooms and laugh at your colleagues’ stories. You’ll doubt your choices, and yet grow through them.
But through it all, you’ll find your rhythm. You’ll become a leader who values people, not just processes. A professional who knows that growth isn’t just about climbing, it’s about becoming. It’s about stepping out of comfort-zones and adapting to any situation.
So don’t worry so much about ticking every box. Focus instead on becoming someone you’re proud of. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the journey, don’t get too caught up on your final career goals and on how long you still have to say you’ve “made it”.
You’re doing better than you think.
About CA Global
At CA Global, we understand that leadership and career success is more than just a skill it’s also about the journey. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of career moves or rising through the ranks of your profession, we’re here to support your growth.
As specialist recruiters in Finance, Mining, Energy, and Engineering across Africa and beyond, we connect top talent with exceptional opportunities because we believe in careers that align with life, not just job specs.
Looking for your next step? Let’s talk.
