The Journey: #38 Silence the Silence

I didn’t grow up in a white-collar home.

My parents owned and worked in a delicatessen for over 45 years. Together, they ran that business seven days a week. They were providers, making sure my brother and I had what we needed and, sometimes, what we wanted.

From them, I learned work ethic. Grit. The importance of showing up.

But one thing they couldn’t prepare me for was navigating the world of corporate America.

I remember in my first years of work hearing advice like:

“Keep your head down and do what you’re supposed to do.”

“Don’t cause any issues.”

“Work hard and they’ll take care of you.”

My parents meant well, but they didn’t have the lived experience to guide me through a career path in Publishing, Marketing, Tech and SaaS.

So I followed their advice for a while. I worked hard. Really hard. I went above and beyond. And then I waited.

I waited to be seen.

I waited to be rewarded.

I waited to be promoted.

I waited for raises.

And when those things didn’t happen, I asked myself: Was I good enough? Did they value me?

That’s when new advice found me, advice that changed everything.

If I wanted something, I had to ask for it.

If I had ambitions, I had to make them known.

If I wanted to grow, I had to stop waiting and start designing my own path.

It wasn’t just about working hard, it was about doing the right work. The work that would align with the future I wanted.

Advice for the Ambitious

If you’re someone with big career goals, here’s what I’d tell you:

1.Ask for what you want. Don’t assume your manager knows your goals or is thinking about your growth. Be clear and intentional.

2.Understand the skills required. If you want the next role, know what it takes and measure yourself against it.

3.Put together a plan. Show that you’re committed by laying out the steps—and ask for support in reaching them.

4.Advocate for yourself as much as you advocate for your customers. You can’t expect others to do it for you.

5.Stop waiting. Silence isn’t strategy, it’s surrender.

Closing Reflection

Looking back, I realize silence was never neutrality, it was a decision. By staying quiet, I was choosing to let others steer my path. The moment I started speaking up, everything shifted.

Your ambitions deserve a voice. Your goals deserve a plan. And your career deserves more than waiting in silence.

So the question is, are you ready to stop waiting and start asking?