The JOURNEY from the Cubicle to the Corner Office

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I'm enjoying the onset of Delhi winter at my mother’s place this week. She has kept my work desk, which I used during my grinding at study and my early years at work. As I sat down to write this week’s post, I reflected on those years and the lessons I had learned to reach the corner office back in the day.

I was never a fan of cubicles - a symbol of caged potential. If you’ve ever felt like your cubicle walls are closing in, you’re not alone. According to the Harvard Business Review, nearly 50% of mid-career workers report feeling stagnant or unclear about their path forward.

Moving up the corporate ladder isn’t just about clocking more hours. It’s about having an intentional game plan and a sprinkle of serendipity.

Here’s a proprietary J.O.U.R.N.E.Y. framework that you can use for a strategic adventure that could transform you from a good employee into a great leader.

J - Jot Down the Big Picture

It’s easy to get caught up in the everyday grind and Instagram stories to lose sight of where you’re headed. Begin with the end in mind.

Take a moment to ask yourself - What does “success” look like for me? Is it leading a specific team, taking on a new division, or transitioning into a more global role?

Write down a one-page career vision plan. Break it into one sentence each on post-its, and plant them where you can see them many times daily. University of California studies show that you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals when you put them in writing.

O - Others Matter on Your Way Up

Success is a team sport. Chris Peterson said positive psychology could be summed up in three simple words: “Other people matter.” 

Take care of others, including subordinates, on your way up. By fostering trust, offering support, and demonstrating empathy, individuals enrich their professional lives and unlock paths to leadership roles and career-defining opportunities.

Sheryl Sandberg's key mentor was former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who guided and supported her early in her career. Relationships matter. We live in a human matrix, after all.

While AI can try to get your job, humans can lift you up :)

U - Unique Value Proposition Counts

Like a brand, your personal UVP is your "brand positioning" within the corporate environment. Applying brand positioning principles and Understanding cognitive biases is essential for anyone looking to influence decision-making.

Cognitive biases are the mental shortcuts or patterns of thinking that humans use to make decisions quickly but often irrationally. These biases, such as confirmation bias, anchoring, and the halo effect, shape how we perceive information and judge people and situations.

Using this knowledge, you can more effectively position yourself by aligning your strengths with the biases that influence people's perceptions, increasing your chances of standing out and being remembered.

Ignorance is no bliss. Human beings are flawed. This shit is real. Learn.

R - Reading The Room

How many people do you know who always work hard and get their menial increments? The missing link is a thing called ‘Corporate Savvy,’ which is crucial for career advancement. It’s about understanding organizational culture, politics, and power structures and leveraging this knowledge to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, It’s insufficient to say, ‘I don’t like politics.’ 🙂 Deal with it.

Alignment with the boss's goals can help establish you as an indispensable part of the company, driving her professional growth and success.

Sandberg’s success was due to her expertise and her sharp focus on aligning with Mark’s and the company’s most pressing goals—monetization and scalability—during a critical phase.

N - Network is Your Nett Worth

We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” And while it sounds tired, it’s true. Research from the Wharton School shows that 80% of top positions are filled through networking. Building authentic connections can lead to mentorships, collaborations, and opportunities you might not spot alone.

Block out an hour or more weekly to connect with your network. This can be attending an industry event, sending a quick check-in email, or grabbing coffee with someone in a different department.

Give to get. Don’t be transactional.

Satya Nadella’s rise to CEO at Microsoft wasn’t just about his technical expertise. He built a reputation as a connector and collaborator, which was crucial in his promotion.

E - Energy Management for Fueling Forward

A career is a marathon, not a sprint. Self-management is a key trait of a seasoned leader. Start acting like one today.

Build habits that boost your mental and emotional resilience. This can include journaling, breathwork, or practicing mindfulness. Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that mindfulness improves decision-making and executive function.

Oprah Winfrey has credited much of her success to daily practices like meditation and gratitude. I can personally vouch for the energy management practices, too.

Y - Yay, I Just Did It!

Showcase Your Wins. Don’t assume your hard work will automatically get noticed.

Ensure your contributions are recognized in meetings, emails, or shared projects. The Center for Talent Innovation found that “executive presence”—your ability to project confidence and communicate effectively—is crucial for promotions.

Highlight your achievements in authentic ways. Volunteer to present at a team meeting, write a post for your company’s internal blog or offer to lead a project that aligns with your career goals.

Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, didn’t just excel at her job—she made her vision for the company visible to stakeholders, paving her way to the top.

May this journey take you closer to that corner office. I'll tell you more about how to get out of there later :) Best wishes!

^{Image credits - Imagelink.net, YoLo Interiors, Swarajya & artrajkovski (thumbnail painting)}

I teamed up with seasoned founders, investors, and experts to create an ‘Idea to Startup in under 15 weekends’ co-pilot program. It’s for corporate warriors who want to create their venture without leaving their golden nest. This program will help you ideate, build an MVP, validate, launch, and get the tricks of this opaque world of venture capital and innovation economy. Rose-tinted glasses are not enough to survive in the wild. 🙂 

Email me for a 20 minute 1-1 discussion to learn the details > [email protected]

___Why is it called /SALTT______________

^{In Roman times, salt was prized as much as gold—it was essential and invaluable and paid as a “salary.” To “earn your salt” is to add real value, which is crucial. The phrase still resonates today, but perhaps with an even deeper meaning. Earning our salt is not about compensation only—it’s about contribution, fulfillment, and the courage to live with intention.}