The 3 Career Moves Most People Skip (and Why You Shouldn’t)
You’ve done the work.
You’ve hit your goals.
You’ve delivered the results.
But you’re still waiting to be recognized.
Still hoping someone notices the impact you’re quietly making behind the scenes.
Still wondering why momentum seems to come easier for other people.
Here’s the truth no one tells high performers:
Doing your job well isn’t the same as building your career intentionally.
If you want to be seen as a leader, you have to start making moves that look like leadership.
And most people are skipping the three that matter most.
Move #1: Internal Alignment
Most career plans start with titles, salaries, or industry jumps.
But real strategy starts inside.
Internal alignment is the often-ignored move that makes everything else sustainable.
It means getting honest about:
What actually matters to you right now
What kind of work lights you up (not just what you're good at)
What version of success feels meaningful in this season of life
When you skip this step, you end up chasing the wrong goals- or worse, chasing someone else’s.
But when you’re aligned?
Every move you make builds momentum instead of burnout.
The Career Ninja Mindset™ in action:
Use Passion and Plan to reflect and reconnect.
These two Ps help you clarify not just where you’re going- but why.
Move #2: Visible Presence
Here’s the uncomfortable reality:
If no one sees the value you bring, it doesn’t matter how good you are.
That doesn’t mean turning into someone you’re not.
It means making your presence known in a way that feels real, grounded, and consistent.
Ask yourself:
Do people associate me with my area of expertise?
Am I contributing insights- or just tasks?
Would someone think of me when an opportunity comes up?
Being visible doesn’t mean being loud. It means being clear.
The Career Ninja Mindset™ in action:
This is where Practice and Persistence come in.
Show up consistently. Share your insights. Own your contributions. Visibility builds over time- not all at once.
Move #3: Proactive Positioning
The biggest mistake I see talented professionals make?
They wait.
Wait for recognition.
Wait for a promotion.
Wait for the next re-org to “finally” land them in the right role.
But proactive positioning means you stop waiting and start steering.
You:
Ask for stretch assignments before they’re handed out
Initiate development conversations with your manager
Make your goals known so others can advocate for you
Connect with people across the org to expand your influence
You shift from being reactive to strategic.
The Career Ninja Mindset™ in action:
Lean on Prioritize.
It’s not about doing everything- it’s about doing the things that actually move you forward.
From Contributor to Leader: It’s a Mindset Shift
When you integrate these 3 moves- internal alignment, visible presence, and proactive positioning- you stop feeling stuck and start feeling in control.
You shift from “doing the job well” to “being seen as the leader you are.”
Not because you became someone else.
But because you made intentional moves that reflect who you already are- and who you’re becoming.
The Career Ninja Mindset™ isn’t just about motivation.
It’s a framework that helps smart professionals make smarter decisions.
And when you apply it to these overlooked moves?
You stop spinning.
You start building.
Want Help Mapping Your Next Move?
If you’re ready to stop waiting for permission- and start taking your career into your own hands- let’s map your next step together.
You can download the free 5 Ps of Career Growth resource to get started.
Or book a call and we’ll walk through what’s working, what’s missing, and what to do next.
Because doing great work should be the beginning of your momentum- not the end of it.
