5 answers
Kayleigh
Student
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
2
Questions
Updated
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Looking back, what is one mistake you made early in your career that you wish you could avoid—and how can I avoid it?
When starting out, mistakes are inevitable—everyone makes them. I’ve realized that what can make them harder is being too self-critical afterward. Instead of learning and moving forward, it’s easy to get stuck overanalyzing or doubting yourself. I’m trying to shift toward seeing mistakes as feedback rather than failure.
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5 answers
Karen Laidlaw
Executive Development, Program Manager, Talent and Development
3
Answers
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Kayleigh,
Embracing a growth mindset means believing in your ability to keep learning and improving. This happens by trying new things and learning from them, even if they don't go perfectly.
For me, it took time to realize I didn't have to wait for an invitation to speak. Being younger and less experienced, I thought I should let my more seasoned colleagues take the lead. At one point, I was the only woman among 12 sales professionals, and I realized I needed to speak up to avoid being stuck with all the small tasks. It felt awkward at first, but I improved over time. Now, I rarely hesitate to share my thoughts.
Karen
Embracing a growth mindset means believing in your ability to keep learning and improving. This happens by trying new things and learning from them, even if they don't go perfectly.
For me, it took time to realize I didn't have to wait for an invitation to speak. Being younger and less experienced, I thought I should let my more seasoned colleagues take the lead. At one point, I was the only woman among 12 sales professionals, and I realized I needed to speak up to avoid being stuck with all the small tasks. It felt awkward at first, but I improved over time. Now, I rarely hesitate to share my thoughts.
Karen
Josh Taylor
25
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Josh’s Answer
Exiting college, I had earned several accolades for leadership and working with other people. This and other high-level praise led me to believe that I knew everything I needed to skyrocket to the top of a company. Because of this, I limited myself in learning from others from my managers or the company. When things got tough, I took off citing 'they don't know what they are talking about' and that I could do better.
I wish I would have opened up to others to really learn from them. I let my arrogance get the better of me. Stay humble and be open to learning lessons from every success and setback.
I wish I would have opened up to others to really learn from them. I let my arrogance get the better of me. Stay humble and be open to learning lessons from every success and setback.
Devin Stoker
Project Manager
17
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Devin’s Answer
First of all, as equally important or more important than the work you do, is who is managing you while you're doing it. Look for someone who is a leader and is supportive of you as a person not just an employee.
Second, realize that your manager is one of your most important customers. Make it easy for them to manage you (without sacrificing more than you're willing to of course). Regularly reach out to them on updates. Let them know you intend to take an important action based on specific evidence but ask their opinion before doing so. Ask them if you can set up 1:1 times if they haven't already. If they do have 1:1 times set up, provide agendas ahead of time so they know what you want to talk about. Ask them what is stressing them out and what they're working on. Bring ideas for team improvement.
If you're looking to improve the experience of your customers, including your manager, you'll be doing pretty well. But please don't be a kiss up, that's not really helping anyone.
Second, realize that your manager is one of your most important customers. Make it easy for them to manage you (without sacrificing more than you're willing to of course). Regularly reach out to them on updates. Let them know you intend to take an important action based on specific evidence but ask their opinion before doing so. Ask them if you can set up 1:1 times if they haven't already. If they do have 1:1 times set up, provide agendas ahead of time so they know what you want to talk about. Ask them what is stressing them out and what they're working on. Bring ideas for team improvement.
If you're looking to improve the experience of your customers, including your manager, you'll be doing pretty well. But please don't be a kiss up, that's not really helping anyone.
Navneet Kashyap
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Updated
Navneet’s Answer
The most common early mistake is tying your identity directly to your professional output, which transforms a simple operational error into a deeply personal failure.
You can avoid this by adopting a growth mindset, explicitly separating your self-worth from your results and treating mistakes as neutral data points for a system upgrade.
Establish an objective "post-mortem" ritual for every error: document the factual sequence, identify the workflow gap, update your protocol, and immediately pivot forward.
You can avoid this by adopting a growth mindset, explicitly separating your self-worth from your results and treating mistakes as neutral data points for a system upgrade.
Establish an objective "post-mortem" ritual for every error: document the factual sequence, identify the workflow gap, update your protocol, and immediately pivot forward.
Ashley Linzer
Regional F&B Specialist
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Always bet on yourself!!
Don’t be scared to take beneficial opportunities.
When I was in my 20s I had a major opportunity. It was on the west coast and I didn’t go because I was scared to leave home and my relationship.. Definitely should have taken that and I knew it, but anxiety got the best of me. It could have changed my whole trajectory and I would have avoided inevitable heartbreak that came after haha.
Life still worked out for me and I was able to build a great reputation and go far in my industry. But I would think about that opportunity throughout the years.
You are young. Please live!! Do the things you desire. Follow your gut. If it doesn’t workout, it’s okay. That is life. We are all trying to figure it out and nothing is set in stone.
Keep an open mind and be open to feedback.
Work under strong leadership
Have your moral compass intact(not everyone will)
Speak up for yourself(respectfully)
Express your desire for knowledge and growth and be willing to put in that work(this is 70% of how I got to where I am)
Hope this is helpful!
Don’t be scared to take beneficial opportunities.
When I was in my 20s I had a major opportunity. It was on the west coast and I didn’t go because I was scared to leave home and my relationship.. Definitely should have taken that and I knew it, but anxiety got the best of me. It could have changed my whole trajectory and I would have avoided inevitable heartbreak that came after haha.
Life still worked out for me and I was able to build a great reputation and go far in my industry. But I would think about that opportunity throughout the years.
You are young. Please live!! Do the things you desire. Follow your gut. If it doesn’t workout, it’s okay. That is life. We are all trying to figure it out and nothing is set in stone.
Keep an open mind and be open to feedback.
Work under strong leadership
Have your moral compass intact(not everyone will)
Speak up for yourself(respectfully)
Express your desire for knowledge and growth and be willing to put in that work(this is 70% of how I got to where I am)
Hope this is helpful!
Thank you so much, Ashley!
Kayleigh