Stop Riding Shotgun in Your Own Career

“Who’s responsible for your career?”
Everyone answers the same way:
“I am.”

My next question usually stops them in their tracks:
“And what are you doing about it?”

Silence.
A long pause.
And then the truth: not much.

To make it real, I use an analogy that always lands:
Your career is a car. What seat are you sitting in?

Most people admit they’re in the passenger seat.
Some say the back seat.
And one unforgettable client said she was “in the back, looking out the rear window.”

That image said it all.

Too many talented people are watching their careers instead of driving them—hoping hard work alone will lead to recognition, opportunities, or a promotion. But hope is not a strategy.

If you want to grow, you need to move into the driver’s seat.

That means being intentional about your future.
It means expanding your network, seeking experiences that stretch you, speaking up about your aspirations, and understanding your strengths and the value you bring. It means updating your LinkedIn profile, exploring internal and external opportunities, and taking ownership of where you want to go.

Organizations offer tools, programs, and support.
But the steering wheel still belongs to you.

So, ask yourself:

What seat of your career car are you sitting in today?
And what would it take to grab the wheel?

Your future self will thank you.