Career Success Isn’t a Ladder—It’s a Mirror

What does success really mean?

If you’d asked five years ago, you might’ve said “a steady job,” “a nice title,” or “climbing the ladder.”

Today? That ladder feels more like a treadmill—one that doesn’t stop, doesn’t slow, and doesn’t actually lead where we thought it would.

This week’s Confidence Chronicles is about redefining success in a world where the rules have changed. Whether you’re leading teams or leading your own career, it’s time to ditch the outdated definition and design one that actually fits your life.

Let’s talk about what it really means to succeed—on your terms.

Emotion Highlight: PRIDE

Let’s have a little fun and dig into the nuance of pride.

Because let’s be honest, pride gets a bad rap.

We’re taught it’s something to avoid… like it automatically makes us arrogant or out of touch.

That’s what I call the shadow side—when pride becomes a mask. We cling to titles, roles, or goals... not because they still fit, but because admitting they don’t feels too vulnerable.

And yet, the truth is: not all pride is bad.

🔆 There’s a light side—the deep satisfaction of living and working in alignment with your purpose. It’s the “I built this” feeling that comes from leading with intention, integrity, and impact.

So this week, pause and reflect:

👉 Are you holding onto someone else’s version of success out of pride?

👉 Or are you proud because you finally chose your own?

Leadership Insight: When Success Isn't What It Used to Be

Leading today looks nothing like it did five years ago.

You're trying to grow your team while navigating burnout, hiring gaps, and a workforce that’s done playing by old rules. And yet, many organizations still define success with traditional metrics: hours worked, ladder climbed, loyalty earned.

But in today's world?  Top talent isn’t looking for gold watches anymore. They’re looking for purpose, flexibility, and a culture where their gifts are seen and valued.

Leadership Shift:

To retain and engage the right people, you must create space for them to define success in their own terms within your organization.

That doesn’t mean lowering standards.  It means inviting buy-in. When people are aligned with the why, they deliver better on the what.

Not sure how to guide that kind of conversation?

That’s where I come in.

Through the organizational coaching I’ve done with teams like LNPCA, I help leaders create brave spaces where employees can:

• Articulate what meaningful success looks like
• Connect personal purpose to business outcomes
• Reignite ownership and engagement at every level

Because when people feel seen, heard, and supported—they show up differently.

💡 Try this: In your next 1:1, ask, “What does success look like for you right now?” Then listen. Like, really listen. (Use those active listening skills with curiosity not judgement!)

Career Empowerment

Let’s drop a hard truth wrapped in compassion: The 40/40 career promise is gone.

You know the one. Work 40 hours a week for 40 years and the company will take care of you.

That’s the myth. And many of us are grieving it while also trying to rebuild something better.

You are not behind. You are evolving.

Modern Success = Purpose + Pay + Peace

Success isn’t about checking boxes anymore. It’s about creating a career that fuels your life—not one that drains it.

That means:

• Designing a schedule that supports your mental health.
• Choosing work that aligns with your values.
• Saying no to the ladder if it leads away from your joy.

💡 Weekly Reflection Prompt: What if you stopped asking, “Am I successful?” and started asking, “Is my definition of success still true for the person I am today?”

Shared Wisdom

“Don’t aim to be successful. Aim to be valuable. Once you’re valuable, success will follow.” – Albert Einstein

Success isn’t a ladder... it’s a mirror. It reflects your values, not just your achievements.

The question isn’t how high you’ve climbed.  The question is whether the person you see in the mirror feels fulfilled.

💬 What’s one thing you’ve let go of in your old definition of success?

TLDR

✅ Success is shifting—and so should your definition

✅ Pride has both a shadow and a light side: one clings to old titles, the other celebrates alignment

✅ Career Pros: You’re not behind—you’re redefining

✅ Leaders: Your team doesn’t want ladders—they want meaning

✅ Not sure how to guide those deeper success conversations at work? That’s exactly the work I do with leadership teams like LNPCA. Let’s connect.

Power Move of the Week

Take 5 minutes to define what success means for you.

BONUS: Take one small step toward building success on your terms.

Want support?

Check out my WILD 1:1 Coaching Program, where I help career professionals transform their path from soul-sucking to life-fulfilling.

🎯 We’ll identify what matters most, reignite your confidence, and design a career that finally fits your life.

Ready to explore if this is your next bold move?  Books your exploration call HERE.