What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone earlier in their career?
It’s a question we’ve all pondered at one point or another. For over 130 executive women featured in Wednesday Women’s weekly series, it became a moment to reflect, inspire, and share hard-won wisdom. On November 14th, Melissa Moody, co-founder of Wednesday Women, and Leslie Pagel, a customer success expert, hosted a live webinar to explore their answers.
Through careful analysis, Leslie identified five themes—five cornerstones of career growth that every woman (and man) can reflect on. The advice that she read was actionable, relatable, and reflected core principles of executive leadership that we can all strive for.
Here’s what we learned and how it might just help you transform your own career path.
1. Mindset: The Foundation of Everything
If there was one common thread, it was this: mindset is the anchor of a successful career. More than 50% of the women spoke about it, and their insights were as practical as they were empowering.
Consider this quotation from Alexis Rivera Scott: “This is a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t need to have all the answers—just make the best decision for yourself with what you have and keep going.” In other words, It’s about playing the long game, being open to lateral moves, and letting curiosity guide you.
Gina Bianchini, CEO of Mighty Networks, was also quoted about remaining open to opportunities: “Be willing to try new things and work with people who challenge you. There’s a lot to learn.”
Mindset also means reframing challenges. As Leslie Pagel shared in a personal anecdote,
“When I was unemployed, I realized I had control over one thing—my mindset. Redirecting negative thoughts into empowering ones helped me take intentional steps forward.”
Your Reflection: How’s your mindset these days? Are you running a marathon or sprinting through every task? Think of one way to bring more curiosity or optimism into your daily routine.
2. Self-Advocacy: Know Yourself, Then Speak Up
The second theme, brought up by nearly half of the women, focused on self-advocacy. Natasha Durkins, VP at the Federal Aviation Administration, nailed it when she said, “Whether you're invited or pulling up a folding chair, you're in the room because you need to be heard. Push past any discomfort and use your voice.”
Advocating for yourself isn’t always easy, especially when we’re conditioned to let our work speak for itself. But as Leslie pointed out, “In business, big personalities and egos dominate the room. Your work doesn’t always speak for itself. You need to make sure your contributions are seen and recognized.”
Your Reflection: What’s one way you can speak up more? Maybe it’s volunteering for a new project or highlighting a recent win in a team meeting.
3. Keep Learning: Stay Curious and Keep Growing
Learning doesn’t stop once you land the job. In fact, it’s just beginning. This theme came through loud and clear in the advice shared.
Leslie broke it down into three parts:
Actions: Invest in your own growth, whether it’s hiring a coach, attending a conference, or simply asking for help.
Topics: Learn about your industry, your company, and the people you work with.
Resources: Leverage tools like podcasts, books, and LinkedIn to stay informed.
As one participant put it, "If you're learning everything, you're learning nothing." Focus is key.
Leslie shared her own tip: “I’ve started a habit of reading for five minutes every morning. It’s not much, but it builds consistency and keeps me curious.”
Your Reflection: What’s one thing you’ve been meaning to learn? Pick a resource—podcast, book, or class—and commit to exploring it this month.
4. Build Your Network: Allies Make All the Difference
A smaller but still vital theme was the importance of building a network. Surrounding yourself with allies, mentors, and supporters can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
As Leslie explained, it’s not just about connections but the quality of those relationships. Allies can amplify your voice, recommend you for opportunities, and provide guidance when you need it most.
Your Reflection: Who’s in your corner? Reach out to one mentor or supporter this week and thank them for their role in your journey.
5. Be Willing to Take Risks: Growth Happens Outside the Comfort Zone
Finally, the women emphasized the value of taking risks. Whether it’s applying for a stretch role or speaking up in a tough meeting, stepping out of your comfort zone often leads to the greatest rewards.
Hilary Headlee, EVP at Insight Partners, shared this quote as part of the career advice that was being discussed: “When you negotiate for yourself, think of it as setting a precedent for others. If you take the leap, you make it easier for the next woman to do the same.”
Your Reflection: What’s one small risk you can take this week? Start by saying “yes” to something that feels a little outside your comfort zone.
Your Career, Your Move
As the webinar wrapped up, attendees were asked a simple but profound question: which of these themes will you work on this month? Whether it’s mindset, advocacy, or learning, the goal is the same—to take action.
Wednesday Women’s mission is to amplify the voices of women leaders and create ripples of change. By reflecting on these themes and sharing this advice with others, you’re part of that change.
So, what’s your next move? Let us know in the comments or share your reflections with us at Wednesday Women.