What Is Your Goal? Choosing the Right Scope for Your Career

Many professionals think of career growth as climbing a ladder—moving from an individual contributor (IC) to manager, then to director, and eventually to an executive role. But what if that’s not the right path for you? What if career success isn’t about climbing but about finding the scope of work that excites you the most?

Some people thrive in execution, becoming the go-to expert in their domain. Others love managing projects, ensuring work gets done efficiently. Some want to shape the future of their organization, while others want to think at the company level, solving problems beyond a single domain. None of these paths are inherently better than the others—the key is to choose the one that aligns with your strengths and passions.

Success Comes in Different Forms

I’ve worked with brilliant ICs who became the most valuable people in their company without ever becoming managers. They carved out their own space of expertise, becoming the person everyone relied on for critical insights and execution. Others I’ve known moved into leadership roles because they saw bigger problems that needed solving and wanted to drive that change.

Your goal isn’t set in stone—it can evolve. When I started my industry career, I focused on being the best IC I could be. I wanted to be great at what I did. But over time, I started having ideas. I saw bigger opportunities and had a vision for what was most important to solve. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a leader.

Some people start as ICs and later decide they want to lead. Others try management and realize they prefer deep technical work. 

How to Choose the Right Scope for You

The key is to experiment and adapt. The best path is the one that excites you and allows you to bring your full potential to your work. But how do you decide which scope is right for you? Let’s break it down.

The Career Scope Framework

1. Executor (IC Role) – The Deep Specialist

Executors focus on delivering high-quality work within a specific scope. They become incredibly knowledgeable about their domain, often knowing it better than anyone else. They don’t just complete tasks—they master them.

✅ Ideal for those who:

• Love diving deep into a subject and becoming an expert.
• Enjoy solving problems within a well-defined scope.
• Prefer refining their craft over managing people.

💡 Examples:

• A Software Engineer specializing in performance optimization, making systems faster and more efficient.
• A Data Scientist who becomes the go-to expert on a niche algorithm, optimizing predictions and driving innovation.
• A Research Scientist pushing the boundaries of their field, leading advancements in cutting-edge technologies.

Executors can become indispensable because they take care of areas others don’t. They don’t have to manage teams to be successful; their expertise and impact make them invaluable.

2. Project Manager – The Orchestrator

Project managers are like executors but want more control over how the work is done. They don’t just want to complete tasks—they want to ensure work is delivered efficiently and predictably. They influence timelines, resources, and team coordination to get things done.

✅ Ideal for those who:

• Enjoy structuring work and ensuring execution is smooth.
• Like balancing priorities, deadlines, and resources.
• Feel motivated by keeping teams accountable and driving progress.

💡 Examples:

• A Data Science Manager who not only develops models but ensures insights are effectively delivered, understood, and applied across the company.
• A Product Manager who ensures the right features are built, launched at the right time, and aligned with business needs.
• A Technical Program Manager who coordinates cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects efficiently and on schedule.

3. Leader – The Visionary Problem-Solver

Leaders think beyond execution. They define what needs to be improved within their organization and rally their teams to make it happen. They are experts in their domain but also have the ability to communicate a vision and bring others along.

✅ Ideal for those who:

• See gaps and opportunities in their organization and want to fix them.
• Enjoy defining what success looks like and leading teams to achieve it.
• Want to make a bigger impact beyond personal execution.

💡 Examples:

• A Director of Engineering setting the technical direction and driving best practices to scale a growing team.
• A Head of Analytics leading the effort to embed a culture of data-driven decision-making across the company.
• A Head of HR designing and implementing a more equitable performance evaluation and rewards system to recognize talent fairly.

4. Executive Leader – The Company-Wide Problem Solver

Executives act like founders—not just leading a department but solving whatever problems are most important to the company. They don’t focus on a single domain; they jump in wherever they are needed.

✅ Ideal for those who:

• Thrive on uncertainty and solving broad, company-level challenges.
• Enjoy making high-stakes decisions that shape the future of the business.
• Love working across multiple disciplines and influencing the company’s direction.

💡 Examples:

• A Head of Data Science who collaborates with sales, engineering, and finance to build a data-driven, more efficient sales strategy.
• A Head of Product who works with marketing and sales to design a product strategy that seamlessly integrates with go-to-market success.
• A Chief Legal Officer who partners with experts across functions to craft a comprehensive data privacy policy that balances compliance, security, and business needs.

Choosing Your Path: It’s About Scope, Not Titles

Success isn’t about climbing the ladder—it’s about finding the scope that excites you. Whether you thrive in deep expertise, orchestrating projects, shaping a vision, or solving company-wide challenges, what matters is owning it fully.

What’s your goal? If you’re ready to gain clarity and support, join the Women Leaders Club—a community where high-achieving women break free from feeling stuck, gain the confidence to pursue what truly excites them, and get the guidance, strategies, and connections to create fulfilling careers on their own terms.

The Secret to Influence

Have you ever had a great idea dismissed by your manager or partner?

Jessica felt this frustration firsthand. She discovered a gap where the company was losing tens of thousands of dollars annually and proposed to fix it. And she got no interest from her manager. She said, “they’re stupid not to see the opportunity”. “If I show that we are saving tens of thousands of dollars annually, and still they don’t care! How come?”

Jack, a former team member, had a similar experience. He proposed to me a solution to clean up the current system’s volatility and make it stable and scalable. I said no. And he had similar reaction, “how can you say no to the solution to fix this mess we deal with daily?”

Here is the truth. They saw one side of the problem, not the full picture.

The Missing Piece: Understanding Priorities

I asked Jessica, if her manager felt the pain when you pointed out that their company was losing tens of thousands of dollars annually. She said no with “can’t believe” energy. I asked, “so what is their pain right now?” She opened up her eyes big, and asked back, “what do you mean?” 

So I explained, yes, tens of thousands of dollars are big loss. But if the company is facing losing millions of dollars or having an opportunity to create millions of dollars more revenue, and if they are working on those projects, doesn’t it make sense that they don’t care about tens of thousands of dollars at this moment?

It may not be the real reason. But the key issue is that Jessica didn’t know what truly mattered to her manager.

Similarly, I explained to Jack, your proposal sounds good, but it requires the entire data science team to work on at least 6 months. Currently one person is working to maintain and improve the system. I’m willing to put more resources to improve the system faster, while we still deliver work to our partners. But, What would happen to the company if the entire data science team drop everything to improve the system for 6 months? 

The Myth About Influence

Many people believe that influence is about pushing their ideas onto others.

It’s completely wrong. Influence is about aligning with what they care about. Show them how your idea helps them achieve their goals.

How to Influence Effectively

1. Understand what they truly care about. What is their biggest priority right now?
2. Understand what they want to avoid. What are they most worried about?
3. Frame your idea as the best way to help them. Share a compelling story that connects your solution to their goals.

Most people struggle with influence because they don’t know what others truly care about. That’s why the first step is to talk to them—understand their challenges, their pressures, and the key players influencing their decisions. You might even change your own perspective along the way. And that’s okay—because true influence isn’t about proving your idea is right. It’s about finding the best solution for the bigger picture.

At Women Leaders Club, we explore how to step into leadership and create opportunities. At the end of the day, great leaders don’t just give orders—they inspire action.

Want to master the skill of influence? Join Women Leaders Club today.

The Fastest Way to Achieve Your Leadership Goals

 How Do You Answer, “What Do You Do?”

Most people respond with their job title and employer—“I’m a software engineer at a tech company” or “I’m a marketing manager at X.”

That makes it easy for others to categorize you, but does it actually tell them who you are? Not really. When I hear a title, I might think, Oh, they write code—but that doesn’t tell me anything about your potential, ambitions, or unique contributions.

And here’s the problem: in today’s world, your job title isn’t enough.

Why Titles Alone Won’t Set You Apart

A few years ago, when the job market was booming, your title might have been enough to move you forward. But now? There are hundreds of software engineers, data scientists, and managers in your company alone.

That’s why people tell you to be visible—raise your hand in meetings, present more, volunteer for projects. These are good tactics, but they only address the “how.”

But visibility alone isn’t enough. The key question is: Visibility for what purpose?

Leadership Isn’t a Title—It’s Your Vision

Many people say they want to be a leader. But if I ask them what that means, they struggle to answer.

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions or having authority. It’s about knowing:

✅ Where you think your team or organization should be heading

✅ Why that direction matters

If you can’t answer those questions, you’re not leading—you’re following trends instead of setting direction.

You can follow what others do, but you need a strong reason for why that’s the right path.

Imagine Two Presidential Candidates

Let’s put this into perspective. Imagine you have two people running for president:

🗳️ Candidate 1: “I want to be president because it’s the highest title I can achieve in this country.”

🗳️ Candidate 2: “I want to shape this country into [vision of the future], and if I get elected, I will do [specific plan] to make that happen.”

Who do you see as a leader? Who do you want to work for?

The same principle applies at work.

Leadership isn’t about chasing a title, it’s about knowing where you want to go and why.

Defining Your Own Path—Without a Title

Many struggle to describe what they do without their title. Even more struggle to describe where they want to go in their careers without using a title.

I know, because I’ve been there.

For a long time, I felt like I was mumbling my way through my ambitions, unable to articulate my career vision. I knew I’d recognize it if I saw it, but I couldn’t describe it. And that was frustrating.

But this process of finding your “what” and “why” is what sets you apart.

A Real-World Example of Leadership Thinking

I once spoke with a data scientist at a small company. I asked her, if you can do anything, what do you want to do?

“I want to restructure our entire data functions so all data flow is more streamlined. That way, we have more efficiency and better data quality. With that, we can create room for more advanced analytics that can drive revenue opportunities.”

That’s C-suite-level thinking. And because of that, I’m certain she will reach C-suite in her career.

What to Say When Someone Asks, “What Do You Do?”

So, next time someone asks, don’t just give your title. Try this instead:

🔹 What are you building? (Your vision)

🔹 Why is that important? (The impact you’re driving)

🔹 (And if applicable) What help do you need? (Your obstacles and how others can support you)

Instead of saying “I’m a software engineer,” say:

“I’m building a platform where people can learn, connect, and enrich their lives. Right now, I’m focused on minimizing the negative effects of social media—like addiction and depression—while maximizing its benefits for human well-being. Since you’re a product leader, I’d love your support in prioritizing user well-being, even if it doesn’t maximize short-term revenue. Let’s chat more if you’re interested!”

When you speak this way, people see you differently—not just as another person in a role, but as a leader shaping the future.

And that changes everything.

In today’s economy, opportunities come from people recognizing your unique perspective and potential. When you share your vision, you don’t just stand out—you create new opportunities, take control of your career path, and that’s the fastest way to reach your true career goals.

So, what do you do?

If you’re ready to articulate your vision, take control of your career path, and step into leadership on your own terms, join the Women Leaders Club. It’s a space where high-achieving women gain the clarity, strategies, and support they need to confidently shape their careers and create new opportunities for themselves.

Breaking Free from Self-Limiting Beliefs with the CDC Approach

What’s Holding You Back Isn’t Reality - It’s the Story You Tell Yourself

• “I’m not good at networking.”
• “I’m too old to switch careers.”
• “I don’t have what it takes to be a leader.”

These aren’t facts. They’re self-limiting beliefs - stories you’ve repeated so often that they feel like the truth.

But here’s the reality: The only thing stopping you is the belief itself.

The most successful people aren’t necessarily the smartest or most talented - they’re the ones who refuse to let limiting beliefs dictate their future. The good news? You can rewrite your story.

And it starts with three powerful steps: Clarify, Decide, Create.

Step 1: Clarify - Identify the Thought That’s Holding You Back

Self-limiting beliefs run in the background like a faulty operating system. You don’t notice them, but they influence everything.

Example:

I used to hold back my opinions, even when I thought they were important. I believed others didn’t care about what I had to say.

Through coaching, I realized:

• My belief stemmed from moments when people didn’t react to my words. I took it personally.
• Later, I discovered that people often just didn’t hear me, because I wasn’t speaking loud enough.

Once I identified the real issue, the belief started losing its grip.

📌 Action for You:

• Write down one belief that’s holding you back.
• Ask yourself: Where did this belief come from? Is it actually true?
• Find evidence that contradicts it.

Step 2: Decide – Rewrite the Narrative

Once you see your belief for what it is - a thought, not a fact - you have a choice:

• Keep believing it.
• Or replace it with a new, empowering story.

I decided to stop saying, “People don’t want to hear my opinion” and replaced it with: “Maybe I wasn’t loud enough. Let’s say it again more clearly.”

📌 Action for You:

• Choose a new belief that serves you.
• Say it out loud. Repeat it daily. Make it a mantra.

Step 3: Create – Prove the New Story with Action

Beliefs don’t change just by thinking—they change through action. If you don’t take action, the old belief sticks around.

I created my new reality by speaking up more. As I did, I influenced more conversations, and people began seeking out my opinions.

📌 Action for You:

• Take one bold action that contradicts your old belief.
• If you think, “I’m not good at public speaking,” sign up for a small speaking opportunity.
• If you think, “I’m not creative,” share an idea at work.

🚀 Bottom Line: You Create Your Reality

Your thoughts shape your life. If you change your thoughts, you change your life. But thinking alone isn’t enough—you must act.

Clarify, Decide, and Create your way into a new story.

Your belief is a choice. What will you choose today?