4 Lessons Every Professional Needs to Build Their Career Foundation
I’ve been in the Top 1% at a Fortune 500, and I’ve also been laid off before breakfast.
Both taught me the foundation for real growth.
This past week, I shared the first four lessons from my journey — nearly 15 years in the people business, spanning Fortune 500 staffing, in-house Talent Acquisition, and entrepreneurship.
These aren’t abstract ideas. They’re principles forged from experience: being laid off at 7:06 AM, climbing the corporate ladder to the Top 1% globally, sacrificing six-figure bonuses for learnings, and eventually betting on myself to launch CultureHub Insights.
Together, these four lessons form what I call the Foundation Stage — the mindset and discipline every professional needs to set themselves up for growth.
Lesson 1: Know Your Value
The truth is simple: no one will value you more than you do.
When I got laid off, I didn’t panic — because I had receipts.
✅ 100+ leadership hires closed
✅ $23M+ in offers negotiated
✅ $1.3M+ in recruiting costs saved
Within hours, I was retained by the same company that let me go. Why? Because I could clearly articulate my impact.
Takeaway: Track your wins. Quantify your value. Be ready to speak to it anytime, anywhere.
Lesson 2: Advocate for Yourself
Knowing your value is step one. Advocating for it is step two.
Early in my career, I saw great people overlooked because they assumed their work would speak for itself. It doesn’t. Raises, promotions, and opportunities rarely just land in your lap.
Takeaway: Closed mouths don’t get fed. Speak up, ask for what you’ve earned, and push for what’s right — even when it’s uncomfortable.
Lesson 3: Be Intentional with Your Path
I once sacrificed six-figure bonuses to go in-house — telling myself it would be one step back for two leaps forward. The reality? At times, it felt like more than one step back.
But that sacrifice transformed me from a tactical recruiter into a strategic talent partner. It gave me the chance to build multiple G&A departments, connect with leaders across the world, and gain perspective that prepared me to launch my own business.
Takeaway: Career progress (titles, comp, recognition) isn’t the same as growth. Make intentional moves that build skills, networks, and positioning.
Lesson 4: Have a Growth Mindset
In my 20s, at a Fortune 500 professional services firm, drinking wasn’t just accepted — it was part of the culture. Client dinners, team celebrations — it all felt like progress. I even wore “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” like a badge of honor.
But growth required evolution. I cut what drained me and doubled down on what fueled me. It felt like one step back, sometimes like three. But one year into running CultureHub Insights, I’ve already earned more than my last three W2s combined.
Takeaway: Be passionate. Cut what drains you. Bet on yourself. Life’s too short to stay stuck.
🌱 The Foundation Stage
These first four lessons build the foundation for growth:
- Know Your Value – clarity.
- Advocate for Yourself – courage.
- Be Intentional with Your Path – strategy.
- Have a Growth Mindset – resilience.
At CultureHub Insights, we believe these principles don’t just apply to individuals — they apply to businesses too. We bring the same ownership mentality to every partnership, treating every client like it’s our last, and driving continuous, long-lasting value.
💬 What about you? Which of these four lessons hits home for you right now?
