"At this point in my career....."
I've found myself starting sentences with this saying a lot lately. In fact, I caught myself over the course of a dinner saying it three times. Why? Perhaps it's a signal of how confident I am in what I want these days, where I want to go, and who I want to do it with.
At this point in my career, I want to work with people who aren't trying to build empires and land grab. I don't want anything to do with internal politics. I am okay setting boundaries for myself. I refuse to get involved in workplace drama. I don't want to referee people's issues. I want to work with people who are all rowing toward the same goals. I don't have time for nonsense.
In some ways, I feel like I've earned it. Like I've earned the right to say those things out loud. Part of it is because I feel so confident in who I am today, and what I want, that participating in those activities just doesn't seem worth it the way it once was.
Almost two years ago, I got hired to expand a brand into the US from Canada. That was my job: focus on opening offices, hiring people, and growing a brand into unknown territory. About six months in, I was asked to take on more, which I happily said yes to. One year later, my job had gone from "just focus on opening offices" to leading the entire operation across two countries. When I was asked what I thought my new title should be on a Senior Leadership call, my response was, "Frankly, I don't give a shit." And then I muted myself.
I might not have handled it the best, but I genuinely feel this way. Perhaps it's because I'm privileged enough to already have a VP title. But is a Senior in front of VP going to make me that much happier?
What Actually Matters Now
The people thing is so crucial to me today. After 20 years, I've worked with some amazing people, and I've worked with some real losers. At this point in my career, all I care about is working with people who want to go in the same direction to create results. I don't have energy, I don't have patience.
I've also secretly and publicly built empires. I built one at Zillow, and I wanted more — more people, more land to own, more space to roam. At this point in my career, I really don't need to build an empire. When I was asked about taking on my current role, my answer was yes because I felt it was the right thing for the business, not because it was some land grab for myself. A decade ago, I would have prioritized myself first. Today, it's not about that.
At this point in my career, I'm no longer chasing validation. I don't need someone to tell me I'm doing a good job. I don't need the spotlight or a formal recognition program to know I'm making an impact. The internal compass has replaced the external scoreboard.
What I value most now is clarity. Clarity of role. Clarity of team. Clarity of goal. I want directness. I want accountability. I want aligned people rowing in the same direction with urgency and care. That's where I have fun today.
I've spent years learning to read the room. Now, I want to build the room. I want to bring the right people into it — people who aren't posturing for power but are locked in on purpose. People who don't need to be the loudest to be the most respected. People who check their ego at the door because they care more about the mission than their job title. If you find those people, protect them. Invest in them. Work with them as long as you can.
So yeah, at this point in my career, I don't have all the answers. But I know exactly what I'm no longer willing to tolerate. The journey is long and the road is full of mud. You'll find your way when the time is right.