Identifying Career Blockers

The 5 deadly career blockers for women: (and they feel harmless) After 10 years of mentoring women in corporate, I’ve noticed the same 5 career blocking patterns. Here’s what actually holds women back: (let me know if any sound familiar) 1. Waiting to feel “ready” One more cert, one more year of experience before applying. Meanwhile, less qualified people already have the role. 2. Underselling their impact They say “I helped with project X” instead of “I led this part of project X and reduced risk by 40%.” impact > activity 3. Feeling bad about taking credit for their work This is a huge one. They did all the work but they say “we” did this. Put your name down, and don't cover for others slacking. 4. Taking feedback too personally One piece of criticism makes them question their self worth. Our male peers brush it off and move on. Feedback is data, not a verdict on your worth. 5. Not building relationships strategically They focus 100% on technical skills and 0% on building relationships, because "work speaks for itself". It doesn't. Opportunities appear when someone trusts you enough to advocate for you. The pattern is clear. Women often outwork everyone in the room. But many of us undervalue the non-technical skills that actually move careers forward. Technical skills get you in the door. Strategic communication, self-advocacy, and relationships get you to the next level. Which one have you experienced and what did you learn?

Most careers don’t stall because of politics or a bad boss. 👉 They stall for a simpler reason: You don’t know what will derail you. Not flaws. Not quirks. Real derailers. The behaviors that quietly erode trust, credibility, and influence before you ever notice. ➔ Maybe you overpromise and underdeliver. ➔ Maybe you bulldoze conversations instead of building alignment. ➔ Maybe you avoid conflict until it explodes. ➔ Maybe you get defensive or rigid under pressure. These aren’t small issues. They’re career limiters. And everyone else sees them before you do. If you want to keep rising, start here: 1️⃣ Ask around: “What is one behavior that could hold me back?” ➔ Then listen. 2️⃣ Look for patterns. ➔ If more than one person mentions it, it’s real. 3️⃣ Ask the people you avoid. ➔ Your ego hides the truth in those conversations. 4️⃣ Manage your derailers before they manage you. The leaders who keep rising understand their blind spots and build guardrails around them. The ones who stall deny, deflect, or stay unaware. If your career stalled tomorrow, what would people say behind closed doors? That is your derailer. Face it now.

The Top 3 Barriers to Career Excellence and How to Overcome Them Drawing from my experiences in the Executive Search profession, I've had the unique vantage point of observing professionals as they navigate the complex terrain of their careers. From interactions with numerous talented individuals across varied industries, certain patterns emerge. While many individuals scale to remarkable heights, others seem to be held back by barriers – sometimes visible, often invisible. Here are the three most common barriers that prevent people from realizing their fullest potential in their careers and some insights on how to address them: 1. Lack of Self-Awareness:   - The Challenge: A profound understanding of one's strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and fears is critical for career progression. Without this self-awareness, individuals tend to either overestimate their capabilities leading to crucial missteps or underestimate, which can result in missed opportunities.   - The Solution: Invest in self-reflection. Consider tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or StrengthsFinder. Regular feedback from colleagues, mentors, and even a professional coach can offer illuminating insights into areas of improvement. 2. Fear of Failure:   - The Challenge: This is a ubiquitous barrier. Many professionals fear making mistakes and, as a result, shy away from risks. In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, playing it safe can ironically be the riskiest move.   - The Solution: Cultivate a growth mindset. Recognize that failures are not dead-ends but rather stepping stones to success. Each setback offers a lesson that, when internalized, can pave the way for future triumphs. 3. Inadequate Networking:   - The Challenge: The phrase, "It's not what you know, but who you know," rings true in many professional arenas. Opportunities, insights, and mentorship often arise from connections. Those who isolate themselves or fail to nurture professional relationships may find their growth stunted.   - The Solution: Make networking a priority, but approach it authentically. Rather than sheer volume, focus on cultivating deep, genuine relationships. Offer value, seek mentorship, and remember that the most fruitful connections are mutual. From my perch in the Executive Search realm at Joseph David International (JDI), I've been privileged to witness the transformative power of these insights in real-time. By addressing these barriers head-on, professionals can unlock doors to opportunities they might not have even imagined, propelling them further and faster in their chosen paths. If you seek guidance in furthering your professional journey or need assistance in identifying standout talent, please feel free to connect with me at your convenience.

When I say Black, Latina and Indigenous women engineers are exhausted, many think I'm talking about the work or work-life balance. What I'm referring to are the barriers they encounter before they can even do their jobs. Follow me as I elaborate on 3 Barriers That Aren't in the Job Description (But Still Block Their Careers) : 1. Prove-it-again bias – Having to re-earn credibility that others are granted automatically 2. Exclusion from informal networks – Missing out on key opportunities, deals, or mentorship connections 3. Cultural taxation – Being expected to "represent" your group or take on unpaid DEI labor These invisible barriers don't show up in job descriptions, but they can significantly impact career progression. They're often systemic issues that require awareness and intentional action to address. Which of these have you experienced or witnessed in your workplace? #WomenofColorInEngineering #CareerDevelopment #Inclusion #Leadership #WorkplaceEquity

𝟭𝟬 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻... Over my 20+ years as a corporate insider and Chief Talent Officer, I saw firsthand what separates the promotable leaders from those perpetually stuck and overlooked. Time and again, the same career derailers kept surfacing for folks striving to reach the executive ranks. In this two-part series, I'll reveal the top 10 things I witnessed holding high-achievers back from earning their next promotion and pay raise. My hope is that by shining a light on these roadblocks, you can avoid the same pitfalls and accelerate your own career trajectory. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝟱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳: 1. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿: Many shy away from increased authority due to the responsibility and visibility it brings. This hesitation signals to decision-makers that you may not be ready for that bigger role. ��   2. 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Today's leaders must be able to synthesize information and make judicious, timely calls. A penchant for indecisiveness or analysis paralysis raises doubts about your leadership acumen.         3. 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Doing great work in a silo is an express lane to being overlooked. You need broad visibility as someone who can drive meaningful impact across the organization.     4. 𝗜𝗹𝗹-𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱/𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗹𝘆-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄: Executives must bring a clear, well-articulated perspective to the table. Lacking a definitive point of view or failing to communicate it crisply undermines your credibility.     5. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝘃𝘆: Organizational politics is inescapable, especially at senior levels. The inability to navigate complex power dynamics and influence the influencers can be a career staller. Do any resonate? Which have tripped you up before? 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 - 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹. And 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮 where I'll reveal the other 5 make-or-break factors that distinguish the promotable from the passed over. PS. If you found this helpful, hit repost to share with others ♻️ 🧡

8 Career Traps That Quietly Hold You Back (And how to break out before they break your momentum): You’re working hard. Showing up. Doing the “right” things. But still not moving forward. It might not be effort that’s missing. It might be clarity. Here are 8 traps that keep high-potential people stuck and what to do instead: 1. Confusing being busy with being valuable → Activity ≠ impact. → Track outcomes, not just hours. 2. Over-customising your career to please others → A career built on external approval eventually collapses. → Align your choices with your metrics of success. 3. Staying where you’re liked, not where you’re challenged → Comfort feels good until it costs you growth. → Choose the room that stretches your thinking. 4. Avoiding visibility → Quiet brilliance often goes unrewarded. → Share your wins and speak your value strategically. 5. Confusing loyalty with silence → Staying quiet when you need to speak up isn't noble. It's costly. → Your voice is part of your career capital. Use it. 6. Waiting for permission to lead → You don’t need a title to take initiative. → Influence starts the moment you show you can solve problems. 7. Saying yes to everything → You’re not being collaborative, you’re being drained. → Boundaries don’t block opportunity. They protect it. 8. Underestimating the power of reflection → Growth doesn’t just come from doing more, it comes from thinking better. → Schedule monthly career check-ins with yourself like a meeting you can’t miss. You don’t need a full reset. You need better decisions, more often. Which of these have you been tolerating and what shift are you ready to make? ♻️ Share this with someone who’s ready to stop playing small ➕ Follow Helene Guillaume Pabis for bold insights on career growth, energy & reinvention ✉️ Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dy3wzu9A

WHAT are the most common career clangers? There is no shortage of career clangers that can derail even the most determined workers. Many of them creep in quietly under the guise of loyalty, hard work or playing it safe. Fortunately, most career culprits can be corrected – quickly and with a little conscious course adjustment. Consider unwavering loyalty to an employer. Staying put out of comfort or obligation might feel noble. But if challenge and growth have left the building, it might be time to follow suit. Sometimes the biggest favour someone can do for themselves is to look around and ask: “Is this role still serving me or am I just serving time?” Then there is the invisible effort epidemic. It is the career equivalent of shouting into a void – working overtime and hitting every deadline yet going unnoticed. Speaking up in meetings, sharing accomplishments and building rapport with colleagues can be the difference between getting ahead and getting overlooked. Equally crippling is self-doubt, which is a close cousin of imposter syndrome and whispers unkind things like “you’re not ready” or “they’ll soon realise you’re a fraud”. But here is the truth: even seasoned professionals are still students of their craft. Keeping a record of wins, however small, helps silence that self-sabotaging inner voice. Outdated skills are another silent saboteur. In a world where change charges forward faster than a footy final, failing to learn is failing to lead. A few short courses or a commitment to regular reading can stop your skillset from growing stale. And then there is feedback phobia. Dodging feedback out of fear of criticism might save an ego but also stunts progress. Constructive comments are a career compass, not a character attack. Networking woes often stem from nurturing a narrow circle. While doing a good job matters, who knows about it almost matters more. Building a diverse and dynamic network means reaching beyond the usual suspects. Risk avoidance might feel safe though it often keeps careers stuck in second gear. Growth requires guts – taking on new projects, dipping a toe into different departments or volunteering for cross-functional teams.  T here is risk in the unknown but often also reward. How one leaves a role can be just as important as how one lands it. A thoughtful, professional departure keeps doors open rather than slammed shut. Sacrificing one’s health for work is another mistake masquerading as dedication. Prioritising rest, movement and moments of stillness is not laziness but a step towards longevity. Everyone makes career missteps – but most are more of a speed bump than a stop sign. The real mistake is ignoring these missteps. Spot the signs, adjust the course with confidence and do not let minor errors become major regrets. #careers #workplace #humanresources #aimwa #management Cartoon used under licence: CartoonStock

ARE YOU THE BOTTLENECK IN YOUR OWN CAREER? What if the biggest thing slowing down your career isn’t your boss, the job market, or office politics – but you? We often attribute stagnation to external factors: lack of opportunities, unsupportive managers, or rigid company structures. While these challenges are real, psychological and career studies reveal four deeply ingrained patterns that may keep us from advancing. Recognizing these patterns is the first step. But breaking free requires a shift in mindset and strategy. 1️⃣ The Impostor Syndrome (Clance & Imes, 1978) High achievers doubt their competence, attributing success to luck rather than ability. They delay job applications, avoid speaking up in meetings, or underprice their value. They fear being exposed as less capable than others perceive them to be. Ironically, this hesitation prevents them from seizing opportunities that would further validate their expertise. 2️⃣ The Status Quo Bias (Samuelson & Zeckhauser, 1988) Many of us stay in roles, industries, or career paths too long. The familiarity of the known feels safer than the uncertainty of change. It’s not that we don’t want change – it’s that change feels like a bigger risk than staying put, even when staying means stagnation. 3️⃣ Learned Helplessness (Seligman,1975) After repeated career setbacks – missed promotions, rejections, toxic work environments – we may believe having little control over our career trajectory. This self-fulfilling mindset leads to passive decision-making and avoidance of new challenges. 4️⃣ Self-Handicapping (Jones & Berglas, 1978) Sometimes, we unconsciously create barriers to our success to protect our self-image. We avoid high-stakes challenges or delay submitting important work to ensure we have an external excuse if we fail. While this defense mechanism shields us from failure, it also means we never truly test our full potential. If any of these patterns feel familiar, you’re not alone. The difference between those who stay stuck and those who thrive is the ability to identify and rewrite these invisible career scripts. 📌 High-growth professionals don’t wait for perfect readiness—they step forward before they feel fully prepared. They recognize that no one ever feels 100% ready, but momentum comes from action, not waiting for certainty. 📌 They embrace controlled risks, understanding that growth happens at the edge of discomfort. Instead of fearing uncertainty, they learn to manage and leverage it for strategic moves. 📌 And rather than holding out for the perfect job or recognition, they create micro-momentum—taking small, strategic actions that compound into bigger opportunities. The fastest way to move forward? Identify where you’re holding yourself back—and challenge it. Which of these invisible career scripts do you recognize in yourself?   #CoachRisto #CareerPerceptions #SelfSabotage

It took me 10 years to go from Director to VP. Learn from my mistakes: These are the exact bottlenecks that held me back: 1. Not making my talents visible I put my head down and worked. People saw results but not the talent behind them. ➙ People don’t know what you are doing unless you tell them. 2. Not working on my emotional balance My approach to emotional development lacked clarity. ➙ Today, leadership coaches specifically help with this. 3. Not getting a professional to help me improve When I was coming up, coaching wasn’t a thing so I turned to trusted mentors. ➙ But they could only teach me what they knew, not what I specifically needed to learn. 4. Not realizing and focusing on my unique strengths I fixated on weaknesses because that's what got criticized. ➙ I could have articulated my value based on strengths instead. 5. Not focusing on building trust with my peers and senior leaders At times, I let competing priorities get in the way. ➙ I could have focused on building bridges instead. 6. Not even knowing about executive presence and how to develop it I didn't grasp this until I became a coach myself. ➙ Now it's my specialty because I see its importance. 7. Not getting clear on what was actually important to focus on and what I could let go of I tried to do it all, raising my hand for everything. ➙ I could have focused on what was promotable work and a bonus: 8. Not feeling confident in my work, no matter how many achievements I have suffered from imposter syndrome for years. ➙ Now it's another specialty Avoid these pitfalls, and you’ll avoid having to continuously prove what you bring to the table. Instead your career strategy and strengths will do the heavy lifting for you. Guaranteed. PS. Which one have you ever felt? ♻️ Share this with your network so they can rise too Follow me, Jill Avey for more leadership insights on moving up the ladder

I've talked career growth with 1000+ professionals. The biggest blockers? It's these 3 silent killers 👇 1. The Learning Cliff You leave formal education and step into the workforce… Then what? Without a system for continued learning, your skills decline. Opportunities shrink, and growth stalls. 💡 Solution: Build a daily system for skill-building. Career momentum isn’t automatic — it’s a habit. —— 2. Random Acts of Learning You know you need to grow, so you jump into books, courses, and podcasts. But without a clear career goal, nothing sticks. It feels productive, but your learning ROI is low. 💡 Solution: Pair daily learning with a process — intentional skill-building, not just consumption. —— 3. Quiet Quitting You feel disengaged, like you’re just going through the motions. Without career momentum, motivation drops. Performance follows. 💡 Solution: Set real development goals. A spark of progress can reignite purpose and direction. —— Which of these enemies have you faced in your career? ♻️ 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 to share this with your network. 🧠 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 the Develop Daily newsletter for weekly playbooks on learning, career development, and productivity.